Instant Rava Uttapam 

(Savory Cream of Wheat Pancake), 

with Eggplant Chutney/Kathirikkai Thogayal (Thuvaiyal)

This made a yummy South Indian breakfast. The Rava Uttapam recipe is from Hebbar's Kitchen. Although this Uttapam batter has to rest for 20 minutes before cooking, it's still "instant" compared to other traditional versions. The Thogayal recipe is from Padhu's Kitchen. This was a great way to start the day!

Hebbar's Kitchen Website, Instant Uttapam Recipe

Hebbar's Kitchen YouTube, Instant Rava Uttapa Recipe

Padhu's Kitchen Website, Brinjal [Eggplant] Chutney -- Kathirikkai Thogayal (Thuvaiyal)

Upma 

(Savory South Indian 

Cream of Wheat)

This is a savory South Indian breakfast dish. I remember my friend's mom making it for us (but I can never get it just like hers), which is how I was introduced to it. The ingredients here are basically rava/sooji/cream of wheat, oil, mustard seeds, urad dal (legumes, to add flavor), onion powder, and green peas. Sometimes, I want something fairly quick and easy. This is also very warm and comforting. It fits both descriptions. Win-win! 

Rava Idli (Savory Steamed Dumplings)

These steamed dumplings from South India are from the recipe of Nisha Madhulika on YouTube, and made from rava/sooji/farina/like Cream of Wheat. I steamed them in an Instant Pot (not sponsored 😉), basing it on Instapottin with Poonam's instructions for Dhokla. These Rava Idli were simple but tasty. I used an egg poacher, but now that I know the method that works, I should get an idli steamer! 

Nisha Madhulika Website, Rava Idli Recipe [English] 

Nisha Madhulika YouTube, Rava Idli Recipe  

Instapottin with Poonam Website, Dhokla

Instapottin with Poonam YouTube, Dhokla

Sooji Upma 

(South Indian Savory Porridge)

This was made from sooji/rava/farina/semolina (like Cream of Wheat). This is based on the recipe of @justagirlfrommumbai as seen on a recent Instagram Story, as well as her website. I think I added a little too much turmeric! (which changed the color). Also, I have to grind up cashews, so you can't see them here. However, that has nothing to do with the taste. This dish was warm and comforting, as well as nourishing. It's excellent with yogurt.

Just a Girl from Aamchi Mumbai Website, Another Breakfast Post - Sooji Upma

Dalia 

(Indian breakfast of warm grains, milk, & sugar)

The recipe is from Julie Sahni's Classic Indian Vegetarian and Grain Cooking. My version uses sooji/rava/farina/semolina/like cream of wheat, instead of actual dalia (a kind of cracked wheat) or the bulgar wheat the recipe calls for. So, I guess I should really call it Sooji? Here it is pictured with honey and ground cardamom. 

Upma

This is a South Indian breakfast dish featuring rava/sooji/like cream of wheat. Cooked this time with a little oil, mustard and cumin seeds, urad and channa dals/legumes, salt, onion powder, mirepoix mix (chopped carrot/onion/celery), and "spring veggies" (zucchini, yellow squash, and carrots). A nice, light meal when served with creamy yogurt. 

Pomegranate Sheera/Rava Kesari (Sooji Halwa)

(Indian pudding)

This is an Indian dessert that's like a thick pudding, cut into squares. This one, from a guest recipe on the blog of Flavors n Colors, is made of sooji/rava/farina (like cream of wheat), and pomegranate juice, as well as sugar, a pinch of salt, cardamom, and coconut oil (in place of ghee). I used store-bought pomegranate juice, in place of fresh. The Sheera is served chilled. It was marvelous! Sweet, but not too sweet, with the flavor of pomegranate. I like it with some spicy Indian snacks.

Flavors n Colors Facebook

Flavors n Colors Website, Pomegranate Sheera

Sooji/Suji/Rava Cheela

(Indian Savory Cream of Wheat Griddlecake)

This is based on a recipe from Priya Vantalu on YouTube.  A cheela is an Indian griddlecake, sort of like a crepe. The photo shows how I topped it with some leftover Baingan Bharta (Indian mashed roasted eggplant and tomato). Quite yummy. 

This version contains sooji/rava (like Cream of Wheat), plain yogurt, fresh ginger, dried cilantro, salt, and baking soda, as well as the last of the leftover bhaji veggies from the other day (tomato, onion, and green bell pepper). I mixed the sooji, yogurt, and water together, and left it for two hours (longer than in the recipe), as I hoped that would make a lighter batter. I then added all the other ingredients, and cooked it with as little oil as I could get away with. (I still wanted it to be tasty and somewhat crispy; I just can't eat too much rich food.)

Priya Vantalu YouTube, Sooji Cheela Recipe

Sevai Upma

This is similar to the upma with sooji/rava (like savory Cream of Wheat), but with small bits of thin vermicelli instead of sooji/rava. The chopped jalapeño pepper made it very spicy.