Varagu Upma was another experiment that went well. I followed the method of cooking the millet on stove top, and thoroughly cooling them immediately after cooking. You could also toast the millets and Cook them directly in the pan like the normal rava upma.
I enjoyed this as a plain , low spice upma , but do feel free to add any more veggies / more chillies as desired. I made just one serving as I wasn’t sure it would turn out well. This is a satvik, onion free recipe so pls feel to customise as you please. Similar Upma that you could like is Rava Kichadi (Tamilnadu style Masala sooji Upma) or this Jowar Rava (Jonna Rava) upma made with millets
Other Millet based breakfast dishes you may like on the blog:
Thinai Uttapam | Foxtail Millet Uttapam
Thinai Uttapam or Foxtail Millet Uttapam is a thick dosa (savoury pancake) made with millets topped with vegetables. 100% Gluten Free and Vegan. Served as breakfast or snack.
Check out this recipe
Ragi Sevai | Ragi Semiya Upma | Finger Millet String Hoppers
A sevai / Upma /savory pudding made with Ragi Sevai / Ragi Vermicelli or Finger Millet string hoppers. Served as a South Indian Breakfast or Snack.
Check out this recipe
Instant Ragi Oats Dosa | Calcium Rich Dosa
Instant Ragi Oats Dosa is a quick and filling Gluten Free Vegan dosa made with finger millet and Oats. Can be served for breakfast or snack, even dinner.
Check out this recipe
Little Millet Pongal | Samai Pongal Recipe | GF Dishes
Samai or Little Millet Pongal is a quick, nutritious and filling Gluten Free breakfast or dinner made with Little Millet and Moong dal. Served hot with Chutney and / or sambhar .
Check out this recipe
Varagu Arisi Dosai | Kodo Millet Crepes
Varagu Arisi Dosai | Kodo Millet Crepes are delicious Vegan and Gluten Free Crepes (Dosa) made with millets and lentils. Served for breakfast or sometimes dinner with chutney / sambar on the side.
Check out this recipe
Can this Varagu Arisi Upma be customised?
- Add Onions or skip the veggies totally
- Add garam masala or palyada pudi (South indian curry powder) to the upma for a different taste
- If making it in the Instant pot, saute the millets, soak and then cook. The water proportion and cook time may vary
- Skip the bell pepper and add jalapenos for a mexican twist.
Prep time – 10 Mins , Cook time – 10 mins , Serves – 2
Ingredients:
- Varagu (Tamil) / Kodo millet (English) / Arikelu (Telugu) / Arka (Kannada) – 1/2 cup (100 ml)
- Oil – 1 TBSP
- Tempering – mustard seeds 1/2 tsp, Urad Dal 1/2 tsp, green chillies chopped 1/2 tsp, curry leaves few
- Steamed veggies – Carrots, French beans – 1/4 cup
- Bell pepper – 1/2 cup (chopped fine)
- Vangibhath Powder – 1/2 tsp (or sub with homemade Sambhar powder)
- Salt – to taste
- Coconut grated + chopped coriander – 1 tbsp each (for garnish, optional but recommended)
- Lemon juice – 1 tsp (opt.)
PIN FOR LATER
How to:
- Clean and wash the millet throughly. Soak for 20 mins. Drain & Cook in an open pan till done (it took about 15 mins). Cool slightly and spread on a flat plate, fluff them up and proceed.
- In a pan, heat oil and make the tempering with the ingredients. Add the bell pepper, saute for 1 min till crunchy. Now tip in the steamed veggies and mix lightly.
- Once done, add the cooked millet, salt , coriander and coriander leaves. Mix well and serve hot .
- Tastes best when served immediately with yoghurt or a cup of steaming coffee !
Varagu Upma | Kodo Millet Upma – GF, Vegan
Varagu Upma or Kodo Millet upma is a quick, Gluten Free Breakfast or snack made with Kodo Milllet. Served hot for a nutritious breakfast option.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Kodo Millet (Varagu / Arikelu/ Arka)
- 1 TBSP Oil
- 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
- 1/2 tsp split black gram Urad dal
- 1 tsp Green Chillies adjust spice
- 1 sprig Curry Leaves
- 1/4 cup Mixed Veggies Steamed – I used Carrots, French beans
- 1/2 cup Bell Peppers chopped fine
- 1/2 tsp Vangibhath Powder or sub with homemade Sambhar powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp Grated coconut
- 1 tsp Green coriander leaves chopped, opt
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
Instructions
- Clean and wash the millet throughly. Soak for 20 mins. Drain & Cook in an open pan till done (it took about 15 mins). Cool slightly and spread on a flat plate, fluff them up and proceed.
- In a pan, heat oil and make the tempering with the ingredients. Add the bell pepper, saute for 1 min till crunchy. Now tip in the steamed veggies and mix lightly.
- Once done, add the cooked millet, salt , coriander and coriander leaves. Mix well and serve hot .
- Tastes best when served immediately with yoghurt or a cup of steaming coffee !
Notes
Can this Varagu Arisi Upma be customised?
- Add Onions or skip the veggies totally
- Add garam masala or palyada pudi (South indian curry powder) to the upma for a different taste
- If making it in the Instant pot, saute the millets, soak and then cook. The water proportion and cook time may vary
- Skip the bell pepper and add jalapenos for a mexican twist.
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Upma in all forms is welcome in my home and that kodo millet version sounds healthier. The addition of vangibhath powder makes it extra flavorful.
A healthy upma ! I won’t forget that your comeback to the marathon is because of Upma :)) right ?
Wow! Vangibath powder in upma. That is one flavor which I love to bits. I shall try adding it next time.
Delicious upma with millets and your version sounds so yummy..vangibath masla is a nice twist..
Delicious and healthy upma with millets. Need to check what is vangibath masala powder as I have never used it. The pic is too tempting.
Yummy and delicious looking Millet Upma. Vangibath masala is a great addition to the dish. Book marked.
This is a delicious and nutritious adaptation of upma. With varagu, it looks wonderful. I would enjoy this with curd and pickle to the side.
Wow I love the way this dish looks! So nicely cooked and it must have tasted awesome..Upma really tastes delicious.
Vaangi bath powder is such a life saver naa. I love to add it to my upma as well. The mild varagu upma without onion sounds delicious and perfect Thursday meal.
Yet to use kodo millet in my dishes. Vangi Bhath masala is also new to me.. what all dishes it is used for??
Kudo millets upma looks just like wheat rava upma. Addition of vangibhath powder takes the taste quotient to another level.
absolutely , Usha. ! Vangibhath powder is the star here!
Millet upma looks so inviting. Best part is that its made without onion. Also loved the use of vangibhath powder in it. I would love to have it with sweet curd.
yes thanks sujata. it tastes yum with chilled sweetened curd.
Very tasty and healthy upma variety made with kodo millets. I will make it sometime soon.
THanks shobha,, do try when possible
One of my favourite breakfast or light dinner option whenever I have kodo millet at hand. A versatile dish as one can add any veggies to it.
absolutely. it is filling and versatile !
Another reason to get the Vangibhat powder! The Vagara Upma looks simply delicious and yes it must be filling to.
yes archana. totally filling with the veggies
I love these upmas which have a khara bath feel to them. the varagu has come so good in this recipe, love it.
yup-that’s the exact flavour in this..