Veg Upma

If there is left over baby spinach and some carrots, this is a quick breakfast dish or even a light lunch or dinner dish with some yoghurt.  I use the Bob's Red Mill Hot Cereal  (Cream of Wheat).  This is also based on Amma's recipe.  It is just like the semiya except with a different combination of vegetables.  You can also add some frozen green peas and some finely chopped green beans instead of spinach.

1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp black gram dal
3 dry red chillies
1/8 tsp asafoetida
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 cup rava or cream of wheat
2 1/2 cups of water
1 cup grated carrot
1/2 a packet (about 2 or 3 cups) baby spinach
1/8 tsp turmeric (optional) - You can leave this out if you want a white coloured upma.
1 tsp salt
juice of half a lime
1/4 cup coriander leaves
2 tbsp chana dal soaked overnight and drained (save the water and use it to cook the rava)

Heat oil.  Add mustard seeds, black gram dal, red chillies and asafoetida.  Add the coconut oil.  Add the drained chana dal and fry for about 3 minutes.  Add the water (including the soaked dal water to make a little less than 3 cups).  Add salt and turmeric.  Add the carrot, spinach lime juice and coriander leaves.  When the water boils, add the rava and mix very well.  Reduce the heat to low and mix as it cooks.  Turn off the heat and cover.