Veg Upma with steamed banana

Anyone from Kerala or been to a temple there will be able to relate to this dish. Upma with steamed banana is one of the dishes on the breakfast menu that is served to the devotees after offering prayers. I always looked forward to have the temple prasadam on a banana leaf.It always had a different taste which has lasted with me forever.This is however a version which my mom makes.You can use any vegetables of your choice. I have used peas, carrot and sweet corn.

Ingredients:

• 1 onion - finely chopped
• 1 tsp - ginger finely chopped
• 2 green chilli finely chopped
• 1 tsp - mustard seeds
• 1 tsp chana dal
• 1tsp urad dal
• 1 strand curry leaves
• 2 whole red chilli ( dried )
• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• 1 cup semolina/ rava / sooji
• 1 cup water / coconut milk
• 1 tbsp oil
• Sat to taste

Method:

• Heat oil in a pan. When the oil heats up add mustard, when this splutters add chana dal, urad dal, ginger, curry leaves and red chilly.
• Keep on stirring this for 2- 3mins on medium flame. To this add finely chopped onion, green chilli and saute till onion softens up.
• Now at this stage add the veggies and stir well and cook for about 3 - 4 mins
• To this add the rava / semolina and stir well, till the raw smell of rava is gone.
• Now take another pan and heat 1 cup water approximately 250 ml.
• When this water boils add the semolina mixture and stir well .
• Keep on stirring till the water is absorbed by rava and till the veggies are cooked and tender - 5 minutes on small flame
• Garnish with coconut ( you can add coriander also if you want)

Steamed banana :

• I did not steam the banana in a steamer , instead i put it in microwave on high power for 2 minutes and it was done, no fuss! and tastes the same :)
• You need to slit the skin of banana before you microwave it as the banana tends to expand in a microwave. (See pic for reference)

That's it .. veg upma ready..

Enjoy!