Semiya Kichadi

I like various upma varieties, but Hubby is big fan of dosa varieties. To make him eat upma, I add quite a bit of veggies and masala. Though rava kichadi is my favorite, after trying semiya kichadi, I liked its texture too. I made this kichadi very similar to vegetable pulao, by using vermicilli instead of rice. Here I used the roasted vermicelli. If you are using the unroasted one, just fry it till golden color is achieved and proceed with the process. Adding whole garam masala spices makes the kichadi flavorful.

Semiya Kichadi

Preparation Time : 15 mins | Cooking Time : 25 mins | Serves : 4

Recipe Category: Breakfast

Ingredients:

Vermicilli – 1 cup  

Onion – 1 finely chopped

Carrot – 1 thinely chopped

Capsicum – 1 thinely chopped 

Frozen peas – 3 tbsp

Frozen corn – 3 tbsp

Ginger garlic paste – 1/2 tsp

Coriander Powder – 1/2 tsp

Cumin Powder – 1/4 tsp

Water – 2  cups

Turmeric powder – 1/8 tsp

Garam masala – 1/2 tsp

Cardamom pods – 2

Cinnamon – 1/8 stick

Cloves – 1

Bay leaves – 1

Fennel seeds powder – 1/8 tsp

Salt – as needed

Oil / ghee – 1 tbsp (I used oil)

Mustard seeds – 1/8 tsp

 Method:

•  Add oil to frying pan and add whole spices and mustard seeds. Once it splutters add and saute onion with ginger-garlic paste. When the onions turn translucent, add vegetables and saute till vegetables are cooked

• Add  garam masala, cumin powder, coriander powder, Vermicilli and salt. sauté for one minute

• Add 2 cups of water and 1 drop of oil/ghee (My  Amma tells me that adding oil/ghee at this stage enhances the consistency of kichadi). After the ingredients are cooked, take it off the heat. Serve with any chutney. 

My Notes:

• You can add any veggies of your choice
• You can omit adding whole garam masala and ginger garlic paste, and make it the traditional way

Bread Utthapam (Bread Savory Pancake)

Bread utthappam is a great option when you feel like eating utthapam instantly without idli/dosa batter. This recipe for making bread uttapam is easy and quick, as the batter does not need to be fermented, and all the ingredients are easily available at home. Make instant bread uttapam whenever you like!

This bread Uttapam can be made with any type of bread – white, whole wheat or multigrain.

Bread Utthapam (Bread  Savory Pancake)

Preparation  time : 10 mins | Standing time : 10 mins | Cooking time :10 mins | Serves: 4

Category : Breakfast

Ingredients:

Bread –  7  pieces (I used whole wheat)

Thick yogurt/curd – 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp

Coarse rava/ sooji/semolina – 1/2 cup

Rice flour/ All purpose flour – 4 tbsp (I used rice flour)

Water – 1/3 cup approx

Chopped onions – 1/4 cup

Shredded carrot – 1/4 cup

Frozen peas and frozen corn – 1/4 cup

Salt – as needed

Cooking Oil – as needed

Method:

• Remove the edges in bread and soak it in cold water and drain excess water. Transfer the bread pieces into a blender along with rava, rice flour and curd. Grind everything to a smooth batter. Add water accordingly to get dosa batter consistency

• Transfer to a bowl and Add chopped onions, shredded carrots, peas, corn and little salt. Mix everything and add water if required. Keep it aside for 10 minutes

• Heat the skillet on medium heat and spread some oil on it. Pour ladle full of batter and spread it to make a small and thick bread uttapam or pancake. Flip it over and cook till bread uttapam or pancake becomes nice and crispy from both sides. Serve them with your favorite chutney or sauce.

Cracked Wheat Pongal (Godhumai Rava Pongal)

As I mentioned in Cracked Wheat Pulao, Cracked wheat pongal is a recipe from my Amma’s cookbook. I like to prepare pongal as it doesn’t require much effort. Like Oats pongal, cracked wheat pongal is a healthy breakfast recipe. Cracked Wheat Pongal

Preparation Time : 5 mins | Soaking Time : 30 mins | Cooking Time : 25 mins | Serves : 3

Recipe Category: Breakfast

Ingredients:

Cracked Wheat/Samba Rava/Dalia/Bulgar – 1 cup

Split yellow moong dal – 1/2 cup

Ginger – 1 tsp,  chopped

Water – 4 cups

Ghee – 1/2 tsp

Salt – as needed

To temper:

Ghee – 1 tsp

Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

Peppercorns – 1/2 tsp

Fresh curry leaves – 1 spring

Cashew nuts – as needed

Hing – generous pinch

Method:

• Wash and soak moong dal, set it aside (I soaked in hot water for 30 minutes)
• Add ghee to the pressure cooker, saute Cracked wheat and soaked moong dal for 2 mins
• Pressure cook cracked wheat and moong dal, along with chopped ginger and salt in 4 cups of water for 3 whistles. Switch off and Keep it aside

• Add ghee to the pan, when it is hot add Cumin seeds, peppercorns, curry leaves and hing. Once it splutters, add this seasoning to the cooked pongal and mix well

• Garnish with some roasted cashew before serving. Serve hot with any chutney/sambar

My Notes: 

• If you are using fine wheat rava instead of cracked wheat, reduce the water accordingly

Check my other Cracked wheat recipes,

Cracked Wheat and Oats Kozhukattai

Cracked Wheat Pulao

Cracked Wheat Pulao

In our home we prefer avoiding rice for dinner, so at least once a week cracked wheat dish will be in my routine menu. My Amma used to make cracked wheat pongal. Inspired by that, I wanted to do something different instead of the usual upma. I had a few veggies at home, so tried this recipe. Cracked wheat pulao is great for breakfast too

Cracked Wheat Pulao:

Preparation Time : 15 mins | Cooking Time : 25 mins | Serves : 4

Recipe Category: Entree

Ingredients:

Cracked Wheat/Dalia/Bulgar – 1 cup  + 1/4 cup

Onion – 1 finely chopped

Carrot – 2 finely chopped

Beans – 10 finely chopped

Potato – 2 finely chopped

Frozen peas – 1/6 cup

Ginger garlic paste – 1 tsp

Coriander Powder – 1 tsp

Cumin Powder  1/2 tsp

Water – 2 cups + 1/2 cup

Coriander leaves  – a handful (optional)

Garam masala – 1 tsp

Cardamom pods – 2

Cinnamon – 1/8 stick

Cloves – 1

Bay leaves – 1

Fennel seeds – 1/8 tsp

salt – as needed

Oil / ghee – 1 tbsp

Method:

• Add oil/ ghee to frying pan and add whole spices. Add and saute onion with ginger-garlic paste. When the onions turn translucent, add vegetables and saute till vegetables are cooked

• Add  garam masala, cumin powder, coriander powder, cracked wheat and salt. Let it cook for 2-3 min

• Add 2 1/2 cups of water and 1 drop of oil/ghee ( My Amma tells me that adding oil/ghee at this stage enhances the consistency of pulao). After the ingredients are cooked, take off the heat. Serve hot with any Raita

Check my other cracked wheat recipes

Cracked Wheat and Oats Kozhukattai

Cracked wheat pongal

Cracked wheat savory cake

Cracked wheat oats Dhokla

Cracked wheat rava idli

Omelette Muffins

After moving to the US, we stayed in a hotel for the initial few days. One morning, the chef surprised us with a yummy dish for breakfast. I wanted to recreate that recipe with some Indian touch, and here it is!

Omelette Muffins:

Preparation Time : 10 mins | Cooking Time : 20-25 mins |Serves: 2

Recipe Category: Breakfast

Ingredients:

Eggs – 3

Italian seasoning – 1/4 tsp (optional)

Shredded Cheese – 2 tbsp (I used grated cheddar and mozzarella)

Bell pepper – 1/4 cup finely chopped

Tomato – 1/4 cup finely chopped

onion – 1/4 cup finely chopped

Salt and Pepper – as needed

Garam Masala – 1/2 tsp (optional)

Oil / cooking spray  – 1 tsp (I used cooking spray)

Method:

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Beat eggs, add Italian seasoning, salt and pepper in medium bowl and mix until blended

• Add tomato, bell pepper and onion; mix well. Spoon evenly into greased muffin cups, about 1/4 cup each. Add cheese and again spoon 1/4 cup each
  

 

• Bake at 350°F until the muffins are set, about 20 to 22 minutes. Cool the muffins for 5 minutes. Remove them from the tray and serve