SouthernTurk
Unusual recipes for curious cooks.
https://southernturk.versust.com/recipe/indian-upma-express
Printed August 31, 2026
Printed August 31, 2026
Dorm Room Feast
Indian Upma Express
Savory semolina cooked South Indian style, packed with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and vegetables. It's basically fancy Cream of Wheat that actually tastes exciting.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup semolina (Cream of Wheat) or couscous
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon oil or butter
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
- Pinch of turmeric
- 1/4 small onion, diced (or 2 tablespoons dried onion flakes)
- 2 tablespoons frozen peas and carrots
- 1 dried curry leaf if available (optional but authentic)
- 1 small dried red chili or pinch of cayenne
- Salt to taste
- Squeeze of lemon juice
Preparation
Upma is South Indian breakfast genius—taking what Americans treat as boring porridge and transforming it into something aromatic, textured, and genuinely crave-worthy. Your mug version won't disappoint your imaginary Indian grandmother.
Building Flavor:
- Combine oil, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and dried chili in your mug. Microwave for 45 seconds until the seeds start to pop and become fragrant.
- Add onion, frozen vegetables, curry leaf if using, and turmeric. Microwave for 1 minute.
- Stir in semolina and salt, coating it in the spiced oil. Microwave for 1 minute to lightly toast.
- Carefully add water (it may bubble up), stir well, and microwave for 2 minutes.
- Stir thoroughly to prevent lumps, then microwave for another 1-2 minutes until thick and cooked through.
- Let sit for 1 minute, then stir in lemon juice.
The mustard seeds provide little pops of flavor, the turmeric adds earthiness and that signature yellow color, and the lemon juice brightens everything. The texture should be thick but not gluey, with distinct grains. This is savory breakfast/dinner that proves semolina deserves more respect than just hospital food status.
