Vegetable Vermicelli Upma

Semya Upma.

Vermicelli is boiled in water till just soft and fluffy. All the vegetables are chopped up and cooked in tempered oil till done. Finally vermicelli is added to the vegetables and briefly cooked till it absorbs all the flavors. Serve vermicelli upma with a glass of buttermilk.
Makes: around 3 Servings of Vegetable Vermicelli Upma.

Ingredients:

Vermicelli 1 1/2 Cups
Potato 1 Small
Onion 1 Small
Bell Pepper 1 Small
Carrot 1 Small
Green Chillies 4
Fresh or Frozen Green Peas 1/2 Cup
Roasted Peanuts 2 tbsps
Yogurt 1 1/2 tbsps
Cilantro Few Sprigs
Salt to taste

Talimpu:

Mustard Seeds 1/4 tsp
Cumin Seeds 1/4 tsp
Chana Dal 1/4 tsp
Urad Dal 1/4 tsp
Curry Leaves 5
Oil 1 tbsp

Method of preparation:

Peel, wash and finely chop the potato, onion and carrot.
Wash, remove stem, discard seeds and finely chop the bell pepper.
Remove stems, wash and slice the green chillies.
Wash and finely chop the cilantro.

Heat a pan on medium heat, add vermicelli and roast until it turns light golden color.
Bring to boil few cups of water in a sauce pot, add a tsp of oil, few pinches of salt.
When the water comes to a boiling point, add vermicelli.
Boil vermicelli for around 2 minutes or until it is cooked with a slight bite.
Immediately strain the cooked vermicelli and refresh with cold water.

Heat oil in a pan on medium low heat, add all talimpu ingredients in order.
When chana dal turns light brown, add green chillies, potato and onion.
Once onion turns translucent, add carrot, bell pepper, green peas and salt.
When carrot turns soft, add strained vermicelli and yogurt.
Mix carefully and cook for a minute or two to let vermicelli absorb all the flavors.
Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve vermicelli upma.
Notes: Don’t overcook vermicelli.

Suggestions: If vermicelli is overcooked, try not to boil it for so long next time or else don’t overcook it in the pan. Make sure all vegetables are cooked well before adding vermicelli.
Variations: Also add chopped tomato along with vermicelli if you wish. Add your choice of vegetables to the upma.
Other Names: Vermicelli Upma, Semya Upma