Oats Upma Recipe

Learn easily how to make oats upma in 15 minutes with step by step. To make oats upma, regular rolled oats are best. The health benefits of regular rolled oats are more when compared to the quick cook oats. Regular rolled oats have a low glycemic index than the quick cook oats. So those who want to include oats in their diet for health reasons must favor rolled oats.

However if you do not get rolled oats in the place you live, you can still use Instant oats or quick cook oats. A bowl of freshly cooked oatmeal or porridge could be one of the healthiest breakfasts.

But not many folks like to begin their day with porridge or granola, for them there are many alternates to enjoying this grain.

I make use of oats in various ways like to make masala oats, lemon oats, oats pongal, oats pesarattu, oats dosa, vegetable oats porridge, oats chivda.

Tips to make oats upma

1. Rolled oats are best to make oats upma as they do not turn mushy. However you can also use instant oats by dry roasting them well.
2. Vegetables will enhance the nutrition & taste of the oats upma. You can use carrots, beans and peas.
3. Always keep track of the amount of water you use in the recipe to avoid the whole thing turning mushy. Rolled oats work with 1:1 ratio of Oats:water. Instant oats work with 1:½ ratio.

How to make Oats Upma

1. Dry roast 1 cup oats until crisp on a medium flame. They do not turn as crisp as poha but a bit. Transfer these aside to a plate.

2. Heat 1½ tablespoon oil in a pan. Add ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds and ½ teaspoon cumin seeds(optional). When the mustard begins to pop, add half teaspoon chana dal and half teaspoon urad dal.

3. Then add 2 tablespoons peanuts or 8 to 10 split cashews.

4. Fry until the dals turn golden. Then add half teaspoon grated or chopped ginger and 1 sprig curry leaves. Fry for a minute until the ginger smells good.

5. Add 1 finely chopped onion & 1 to 2 chopped green chilies.

6. Saute until the onions turn transparent.

7. This is optional. If using mix vegetables, add ½ to ¾ cup. Half small carrot, 2 to 3 small beans and 2 tbsps green peas. Fry for 2 mins.

8. Sprinkle 2 tbsps water and cook covered until slightly soft for 2 to 3 mins.

9. Then add ¼ teaspoon turmeric and half teaspoon salt.
Water for oats upma

10. Pour water and bring it to a boil. If using rolled oats pour 1 cup water. If using instant quick cook oats then pour half cup water. If you like mushy oats then pour more water.

11. Then add roasted oats.

12. Mix well. The water will be absorbed with in a minute or 2.

13. Then cover and cook on a low flame for 2 mins or until no excess moisture is left.

14. With rolled oats it turns fluffy. With Instant oats it turns soft and slightly mushy.

Let cool down a bit then sprinkle some lemon juice and enjoy with curd.