Chinese Upma - A Twist on the Traditional Upma (Semolina mash)

This was a morning last week when I wanted to serve up something different for my HD 'A'. This could be had both as a breakfast meal or as a tea-time snack and I will mention the variations/alterations (alt#) to all you cooks and moms out there who find it difficult to make the lil' darlings eat up. I tried this with several variations earlier so you can add what your loved one prefers.

Upma with a twist

You need:

2 cups of Rawa (Semolina)
1 cup Chopped vegetables(thinly sliced) - carrots, beans, peas, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, capscicum (one of these would also do- I tried it with peas alone this time. Before adding potatoes, cut in medium bite size pieces and pre-cook. Finely dicing the veggies lengthwise would give it more of a Chinese cuisine look)
Eggs - 2 (optional-alt#1, beaten with salt and pepper if you are using this alternative)
Tomatoes -diced into cubes(optional - alt#2)
Soya Sauce - 1 tbsp
Tomato Sauce(optional-alt#3. I did not add this although if you are making it as a kids' snack then go ahead)
Paprika or Kashmiri Chili Powder - 1/2 tbsp (skip for kids)
Salt to taste
1/2 tbsp of cooking oil or olive oil (ghee(clarified butter) or unsalted butter - in case you are making it for kids)
2-3 cloves of crushed and diced garlic
1/2" crushed and thinly sliced ginger
1 white onion or 2-3 bulbs of spring onions, finely diced
2 cups boiled, cooled water
Garnish: Thinly sliced leaves of the spring onions(discard wilted)

* Tip: If you are opting only for potatoes, then add tomatoes to compliment

The make:

Cooking Time: 20 minutes|Preparation Time: 5 minutes|Serves 2 adults

• Dry-roast the semolina (rawa) and set aside.
• Heat a pan, add a drizzle of olive oil and saute the spring onions leaves for 5 minutes and set aside.
• Heat a large deep bottomed skillet, personally I prefer the non-stick variety. Add the oil. (normally I would add mustard seeds and curry leaves but as I mentioned this is a twist on the traditional South Indian breakfast)
• Add the onion, ginger and garlic and saute till translucent. Add the paprika, soya sauce, salt at this stage. (If opting for the egg, add the beaten egg at this stage, taking care not to add too much salt in the egg. Also if opting for the tomato sauce, now is when you add it).
• Add the veg(s) and saute well. ( if adding tomatoes - now is when you add it in). Add 1 cup of water and cover on a medium flame for about 10 minutes.
• Lower the flame, uncover and add the roasted rawa, mix well and add 1 cup water to allow the blend in process, avoiding lump formation.

Semolina cake with peas, paprika and soya sauce

• The upma is done when the semolina uses up all the water. Garnish with the spring onion leaves and serve hot.
• For kids, you can also add milk and sugar (as it tasted quite well - avoid if using egg, beans, potatoes, cauliflower or the mixed veg option as the tomatoes/tomato sauce would add sufficient flavour)

Served up!