Sevai Upma

This dish is a really simple, somewhat different version of upma. What I had wanted to do was make semiya upma (i.e., using vermicelli). However, I had no semiya in the house and saw this packet of instant sevai (instant idiyaapam) that Amma had bought when we went to the Indian store once. I figured, why not use this and turn it into upma?

Well, it turned out to be a brilliant idea, if I may say so myself. Wait a minute, it's my blog so I can claim to be brilliant, right? Hee hee. Sorry, I digress...

Anyway, I added some veggies to it to turn it into a quick and light meal. Feel free to make alterations as you like! You can easily do the same thing with semiya and have awesome results, too.



Ingredients:

Instant sevai - 3 cups raw, place in hot water and soften per package directions
Onion - 2 medium, sliced
Tomato - 1, chopped
Carrot - 2 medium, chopped
Green bell peppers - 2 medium, chopped finely
Green chillies - 8-10, or to taste, slit
Ginger - 2 inch piece, finely chopped
Cashews - 10-15, broken in half, fried in oil or ghee and kept aside

For seasoning:

Oil
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Urad dal - 1 tsp
Curry leaves - 1 sprig

Method:

1. Soften sevai per package directions. Mine said to pour boiled water over it and leave it for 10 minutes, then drain.

2. Heat oil in a pan and season with mustard seeds, urad dal, and curry leaves. Then, add the sliced onions, green chillies, and ginger. Saute until softened. At this point, add all of the veggies along with salt. Fry until the veggies are as tender as you like. Now, put the softened sevai into the veggie mixture and mix well. Check for seasoning and turn off the heat. Garnish with fried cashews and serve hot. Enjoy with chutney, pickle, sugar, or nothing at all! Stands on its own really well, too. :)

A closer look:

Now, that's finger lickin' good!