Sometimes, when we take extended vacations, I make and carry some simple ready-to-make mixes using which I can quickly make a nourishing meal that satisfies the tummy and takes care of the craving for home cooked meals. Even though we like to eat out and try local foods at all the places we visit, over an extended period of time, eating three meals a day at restaurants takes a toll on the stomach and the wallet. MTR style ready-mixes like these are good to have on hand at such times. I came up with this recipe by looking at the ingredients on the Rava upma mix pack sold by MTR and other similar brands in Indian grocery stores. I then decided to make these at home adding ingredients that my family likes minus the preservatives and additives.
What you need:
Rava/Semolina/Sooji - 1 cup
Oil - 1/8 cup
Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
Chana dal - 1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves - 7 or 8
Green chilli - 2, chopped fine
Salt
In a large pan, heat the oil over a low flame. Add chana dal, urad dal, curry leaves and chopped chillies. Fry these over low to medium heat until the dals turn reddish brown and the curry leaves and chillies turn brown. Only when the curry leaves and chillies turn brown on all sides does it mean that they have lost all moisture and can be stored for a long time. Add mustard seeds and let them pop. Now add the rava. Stir well and roast over low flame until the rava starts to turns reddish brown. Stir in salt. Switch off heat and let the mix cool. When it is completely cool, transfer to an air tight container. This can be stored at room temperature for a week and in the refrigerator for over a month.
Optional additions:
You can add chopped onion too to the mix. If you choose to, then this should be added while the chillies are being sautéed and you should saute the onions over a low flame until they are brownish black and all traces of moisture is gone from the onions.
To make upma, you should cook 1 part of the upma mix in 2.5 parts of water. I usually carry a small rice cooker and make upma in it.
What you need:
Rava/Semolina/Sooji - 1 cup
Oil - 1/8 cup
Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
Chana dal - 1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves - 7 or 8
Green chilli - 2, chopped fine
Salt
In a large pan, heat the oil over a low flame. Add chana dal, urad dal, curry leaves and chopped chillies. Fry these over low to medium heat until the dals turn reddish brown and the curry leaves and chillies turn brown. Only when the curry leaves and chillies turn brown on all sides does it mean that they have lost all moisture and can be stored for a long time. Add mustard seeds and let them pop. Now add the rava. Stir well and roast over low flame until the rava starts to turns reddish brown. Stir in salt. Switch off heat and let the mix cool. When it is completely cool, transfer to an air tight container. This can be stored at room temperature for a week and in the refrigerator for over a month.
Optional additions:
You can add chopped onion too to the mix. If you choose to, then this should be added while the chillies are being sautéed and you should saute the onions over a low flame until they are brownish black and all traces of moisture is gone from the onions.
To make upma, you should cook 1 part of the upma mix in 2.5 parts of water. I usually carry a small rice cooker and make upma in it.
This is my entry to Blogging Marathon under the theme Kids' delight - Travel food.
This also goes to Srivalli's Kids' Delight event guest hosted this month, by me, on the theme Travel Food.
13 comments:
I agree that such ready made mixes are a God send when travelling. Good one.
Wow thats a very useful post, if this mix ready then the upma can be made in jiffy. Thats a wonderful recipe and post dear..
Readymade homemade mix always better than the store bought ones. Yes, it comes very handy when traveling.
Awesome.. Will come handy for a busy day or for a travel .. Lovely share.
Very easy and definitely handy to prepare upma in a jiffy while travelling. Well done.
I too make upma mix at home when we have a long holiday planned. I like to add cashew and kishmis too
This is very convenient and as others mentioned homemade is always better than store-bought. Great share.
The upma mix is a life saver even when you are not traveling and are in a hurry and don't have time to cook. Good one.
This is a life safer on trips or when you are in a hurry.
yes, this one is a real life-saver. whether you are travelling or out of time, quickie meal to make anytime!
Thats a super useful Ready-mix..But I get lazy in prepping these kinds though!
what a great kitchen staple to have at the ready
Wow ! This is such a blessing , comes in handy . Even I make this mix for traveling .
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