Oats Upma (Savory Oats) Healthy Recipe

How to Make Oats Upma

Roast the Oats

1. First, heat ½ teaspoon oil in a shallow frying pan. Then add 1 cup of quick cooking oats (100 grams).

2. After that, stir and roast/toast on low heat until the oats become crisp. Continue stirring so the oats do not get browned from the bottom. Stir for about 3 to 4 minutes.

NOTE: There is no need to brown the oats. You really just want a bit of crispness

3. Next, remove the oats and set aside in a spare mixing bowl or plate.

Fry Spices and Nuts

4. Now, in the original pan, heat 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil is hot, add 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds. Stir and fry until the mustard seeds crackle on a medium-low heat.

5. Next add 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon of chana dal, 1 teaspoon of urad dal (optional) and 8 to 10 cashews.

6. Continue to stir and fry the mixture until the chana dal gets golden browned.

Add Veggies

7. Now add ¼ cup of tightly packed, finely chopped onions.

8. Then stir and sauté until the onions become translucent.

9. Next add ½ teaspoon ginger, finely chopped, 1 or 2 green chilies, chopped, and 7 to 8 curry leaves. Stir and sauté for half a minute.

NOTE: You can also add deseeded broken red chilies or a mixture of both green and dry red chilies.

Cook the Veggies

10. Then add ¼ cup finely chopped carrots, ¼ cup finely chopped french beans and ¼ cup green peas, fresh or frozen.

NOTE: Other veggies you can add are baby corn, capsicum (bell pepper), broccoli and cabbage. You can also add steamed corn or canned corn kernels.

11. Stir and saute for 2 minutes.

12. Then add 1.25 cups water.

Simmer Veggie Mixture

13. Now cover the pan with its lid.

14. On medium heat, simmer and cook this mixture until the veggies are almost cooked. About 8 to 9 minutes.

Add Oats

15. Then add the roasted oats.

16. Stir lightly.

17. Add salt as required.

18. Stir very well.

Simmer Oats Upma

19. Then cover the pan again with its lid and on a low heat, steam for 7 to 8 minutes.

20. Here the oats upma is done and steamed well. If the mixture looks very dry, then you can sprinkle some water and stir again.

Garnish and Serve

21. Then add 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves (cilantro). Mix and serve.

Storage and Leftovers

Oats upma is best had hot or warm. If you have any leftovers store in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for a day only. Reheat in a microwave oven or steam in a pan or in the Instant pot for a few minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Serve oats upma drizzled with some lemon or lime juice or with a side of coconut chutney. You can also have them as an evening snack or breakfast with a cup of hot tea.