{"id":"recipe_436341f4b3","slug":"upma","title":"Upma","description":"A classic savory South Indian breakfast porridge made from roasted semolina, aromatic tempered spices, crunchy lentils, and sautéed onions.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":15},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 cup Semolina (Rava/Suji)","name":"Semolina","quantity":180,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"dry roasted","notes":"fine or medium grain","group":"main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 1/2 cups Water","name":"Water","quantity":600,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"hot water yields better texture","group":"main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"can substitute with ghee","group":"tempering","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 teaspoon Mustard seeds","name":"Mustard Seeds","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"tsp","form":"seeds","notes":"black mustard seeds","group":"tempering","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 teaspoon Urad dal (split black gram)","name":"Urad dal","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"tsp","form":"split","notes":"for crunch","group":"tempering","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 medium Onion, finely chopped","name":"Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely chopped","notes":"red onion preferred","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"2 Green chilies, slit","name":"Green chili","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"slit","notes":"adjust for spice preference","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 inch Ginger, finely chopped","name":"Ginger","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely chopped","notes":"fresh ginger","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 sprig Curry leaves","name":"Curry Leaves","quantity":10,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":10,"usUnit":"piece","form":"fresh","notes":"about 8-10 leaves","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"Salt to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"to taste","group":"seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 tablespoon Lemon juice","name":"Lemon Juice","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"tbsp","form":"fresh","notes":"for tanginess","group":"garnish","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"Handful of fresh Cilantro","name":"Fresh Cilantro","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"tbsp","form":"chopped","notes":"for garnish","group":"garnish","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Heat a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add the semolina and dry roast it for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant and slightly golden. Remove and set aside.","group":"Preparation","title":"Heat a heavy-bottomed pan","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In the same pan, heat oil or ghee. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add the urad dal and sauté until it turns golden brown.","group":"Tempering","title":"Heat oil or ghee","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Tempering"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add chopped onions, green chilies, ginger, and curry leaves. Sauté until the onions become translucent.","group":"Aromatics","title":"Add chopped onions, green chilies, ginger, and curry leaves","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Aromatics"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Pour in the water and add salt. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.","group":"Cooking","title":"Pour in the water","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Lower the flame. Slowly add the roasted semolina with one hand while stirring continuously with the other to prevent lumps from forming.","group":"Cooking","title":"Lower the flame","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Cover the pan with a lid and cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes until the water is absorbed and the semolina is cooked through. Turn off the heat.","group":"Finishing","title":"Cover the pan with a lid","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Garnish with lemon juice and freshly chopped cilantro. Fluff with a fork and serve hot.","group":"Finishing","title":"Garnish with lemon juice and freshly chopped cilantro","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Roasting the semolina well is the key to a non-sticky upma. For a fluffier texture, use a 1:2.5 ratio of semolina to water. You can add finely chopped carrots and green peas to make it more nutritious.","cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["saute","boil","simmer"],"equipment":["Heavy-bottomed pan","Lid","Spatula"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":2,"unit":"servings","note":"Approximately 2 generous bowls"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"You can dry roast the semolina in bulk and store it in an airtight container for up to a month to save time."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container. Reheat with a splash of water to restore moisture.","reheatingNotes":"Microwave for 1-2 minutes or steam on the stovetop."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_436341f4b3%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ab62634f-c0de-4d85-8467-008924a2b02f","imageAlt":"Upma — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["upma","rava","south indian","savory porridge","healthy breakfast","vegetarian"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Upma","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T16:51:12.353Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T16:51:12.353Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_fb27e32ec2","slug":"curd-rice-thayir-sadam","title":"Curd Rice (Thayir Sadam)","description":"A comforting, creamy South Indian staple made with soft-cooked rice mixed with cool yogurt and tempered with aromatic spices, mustard seeds, and curry leaves.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","nut_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_fb27e32ec2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f4b6828b-7878-41e2-be3a-0eb61ce6a548","imageAlt":"Curd Rice (Thayir Sadam) — recipe cover","tags":["rice","yogurt","south indian","curd rice","thayir sadam","comfort food","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":13,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_4f66a15443","slug":"lemon-rice-elumichai-sadam","title":"Lemon Rice (Elumichai Sadam)","description":"A vibrant, tangy, and aromatic South Indian classic made with fluffy precooked rice, fresh lemon juice, and a crunchy tempering of lentils, peanuts, and spices.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_4f66a15443%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=35e72f0f-1a06-4145-8088-dfcf951a6bfb","imageAlt":"Lemon Rice (Elumichai Sadam) — recipe cover","tags":["lemon rice","south indian","tangy","quick lunch","vegan indian","yellow rice"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":14,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_c3ae6a52c8","slug":"moong-dal-khichdi","title":"Moong Dal Khichdi","description":"A comforting, wholesome Indian one-pot meal made with rice and yellow moong lentils, tempered with ghee and mild spices. This version is perfect for a nutritious breakfast.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_c3ae6a52c8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5460ce62-691a-4f9d-b89e-0431c5210df6","imageAlt":"Moong Dal Khichdi — recipe cover","tags":["comfort food","healthy","one pot","moong dal","rice","indian breakfast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":6}]}