Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day and for all the good reasons. A wholesome breakfast fuels your body, sharpens your focus, and sets the tone for a productive day. Especially during summer, starting your morning with light, nourishing, and refreshing meals becomes all the more essential to keep your energy up without feeling heavy.
In this spirit, we bring you two delightful breakfast recipes that are both satisfying and summer-friendly. First up is Poha, a light and flavourful dish made from flattened rice perfectly with a cup of chai. Then Curd Upma, a unique twist on the classic Upma that blends roasted semolina with curd.
Curd Upma
Curd Upma, a dish combining the cooling effects of curd with the nutritional benefits of Upma, offers several advantages during the summer months. It helps to regulate body temperature, promotes digestion, boosts immunity, and provides hydration, making it a refreshing and healthy summer meal.
Ingredients:
- 2 Cups sooji
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 10-12 Curry leaves
- 1 tsp urad dal
- 1 tsp chana dal
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup vegetables of your choice, chopped
- 1 cup curd
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 2 Green chillies (slit)
- to taste salt
- to taste Red chilli powder
- for garnishing coriander leaves
Instructions:
- Roast sooji till fragrant. Keep aside.
- Heat ghee in a pan. Add mustard seeds, curry leaves, urad dal and chana dal. Wait till they splutter.
- Saute onion and ginger-garlic paste.
- When onion browns, add the vegetables, cover the pan and let the vegetables cook.
- Add curd water and saute for a minute. Add roasted sooji, 4 cups of water and let everything cook.
- Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.
Poha
Poha is a dish made from flattened rice, which is lightly steamed and cooked with onions, spices, and herbs. The term ‘poha’ refers both to the ingredient-flattened rice flakes, also known as beaten or parched rice - and the final prepared dish. These rice flakes are regarded as wholesome and nutritious, as they undergo minimal processing from raw paddy. This is a nutritious, traditional food widely eaten in many regions of India.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup poha (flattened rice)
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 1-2 green chillies (slit or chopped)
- 1/4 tsp mustard seeds
- 5-6 curry leaves
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 small potato (optional, peeled and chopped small)
- 1-2 tsp sugar (optional, for a slight sweetness)
- 2 tbsp roasted peanuts
- Fresh coriander leaves (chopped, for garnish)
- Juice of half a lemon
Instructions:
- Rinse 1 cup poha in a colander under running water.
- Gently fluff it with your fingers and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to soften. (Make sure it doesn’t become mushy)
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and let them crackle.
- Add curry leaves, green chillies, and peanuts.
- Sauté for a minute and add chopped onions and sauté until translucent. (If adding potatoes, cook them until soft before adding onions)
- Sprinkle turmeric powder and mix well.
- Add the softened poha, salt, and sugar. Mix everything gently.
- Cover the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on low heat.
- Turn off the flame, squeeze lemon juice, and garnish with coriander.
- Enjoy your poha with a hot cup of tea!
