Oatmeal Upma

Oats are healthy grains that provide essential fiber to you body. Well oats are not predominantly Indian but I have Indianized the usage of oats. Upma is a quintessential breakfast popular all over India, and making this breakfast with oats makes it all the more healthy. I know lot of Indians who are so used to our spicy food that oats cooked with water or milk does not go well with them. So this oats recipe is good for everyone, for those who want a twist to their regular oatmeal breakfast to those who can't have oats without spice in it.

This recipe also makes for a healthy quick meal on those lazy weekends or for those days when you are really busy and tied for elaborate cooking.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups oatmeal (quick/ old fashioned)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp mustard seeds
• 2 green chillies chopped
• 6-7 curry leaves
• 1 inch ginger chopped fine
• 1 small onion chopped
• 1-1/2 cup mixed frozen vegetables/ corn/ peas/ bell peppers/ tomatoes
• 5-6 cups boiling water
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp lime juice

Directions:

• Keep water, on stove, to boil
• In a large nonstick pot, take 1 tbsp oil and let it heat. Add mustard seeds and wait till it splutters.
• Add green chillies, ginger and curry leaves. Saute it.
• Add onions, saute it till translucent and add oatmeal.
• Add vegetables and let the oats get toasted on the stove on a low flame for 10-15 minutes. Keep stirring in between to prevent oats from getting burnt. 
• Add salt and boiling water.
• Add lime juice and stir to mix everything well.
• Simmer the mixture till  it becomes like a thick porridge.
• Oatmeal upma is ready to be served.