Puffed Rice Upma or Uggani

Hope everyone is doing okay amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. I would like to give a shout out via this post to all the healthcare, law enforcement, essential service and grocery store workers. They are the real heroes moment with their hard work and compassion. 

The stay-at-home mandate is taking a toll on everyone especially the kids since they are unable to meet up with friends. It is also a big challenge for moms, especially working moms to cook so many meals at home while juggling work deadlines and such.

Well, here is a very easy peasy snack that you can get ready within minutes to satisfy tea time cravings of your family. It is a perfect accompaniment with tea or coffee. It goes by many names: puffed rice upma, mandakki or churumuri susla, uggani, borugula upma. Whatever you call it, it is just as delicious :) So without further delay, here is the recipe:

Ingredients: Puffed rice (murmura/churmura) - 8 cups, Onion - 1 large chopped, Tomato - 1 medium chopped, peanuts - 4-5 tsp (optional), curry leaves - 8-10, cilantro - 5-6 tbsp chopped and for garnish, roasted chana dal (dalia) - 3-4 tbsp (powdered). Tempering: Oil - 3-4 tbsp, Mustard seeds - 2 tsp, cumin seeds - 1 tsp, asofoetida -  1/2 tsp, red chilli powder - 1 tsp, turmeric powder - 1 tsp, sambar powder - 2 tsp, salt to taste, lemon juice - 1-2 tsp. Sev - for topping

Method: Rinse and soak puffed rice (murmura/churmura) for 2-3 minutes in a vessel. Lightly squeeze and drain it in a colander. Keep aside. Heat a pan and and add oil. Add tempering ingredients once hot. Add chopped onion (reserve 5-6 tbsp for later), and peanuts (optional). Cover and cook for 2 minutes, add sambar masala. Cover and cook till onion is a bit soft. Then add the soaked and drained puffed rice that was set aside. Saute and add powdered dalia (roasted gram), lemon juice and salt per taste. Cover and cook for 2-3 mins on medium heat. Add cilantro, reserved chopped onion, chopped tomato and take off heat. Mix well. Top with sev of your choice and serve. Enjoy this novel snack.

Also #staysafe, #stayhealthy and most important do your part and #stayathome to #savelives!

Till my next post, take care everyone.