Broken Wheat Upma /Samba Gothumai Rava Upma is a classic dish which can be cooked in minutes. As in White Rava Upma, we don't need to dry roast the Semolina for this recipe. The amount of water used to cook Broken Wheat plays a major role in the texture of this Upma. Broken Wheat Upma should be soft, well-cooked, yet it should not turn mushy. The right ingredients and perfect seasonings add delight to this humble dish.  Serve Gothumai Rava Upma with Sambar, Coconut Chutney or any other Curry of your choice.  Car pair it up with Curd/Yogurt.  For a Sweeter Tooth combine it with a sprinkle of Sugar or a Banana.
     I would say, Samba Gothumai Rava Upma with Curd is an utter treat.  It is during my childhood days, I encountered an incident where they served this Upma with a scoop of Curd in a Wedding. I was sceptical about the idea because I was clueless that it can be paired up this way. Me and my friend Kala, both of us were sitting next to each other in the Pandhi, shared a knowing look, stealthily avoided the Curd and had this Upma.  It was during my College days, I literally got the taste for the combination.  Thanks to my friend Swetha, who helped me identify the real taste of the dish.  Knowing my love for the combination she made sure to bring me a box of this Samba Gothumai Rava Upma with Curd topped with a slice of Lemon Pickle, whenever they prepared this Upma at her home. 
     When we live outside India we get into a mode where love for our own food peeps out from our mind now and then. Samba Gothumai Upma is one main dish in the list.  During our initial days in Malaysia, I searched in vain through all the Indian stores.  It is very hard to find this Broken Wheat Rava in Malaysia, (but recently I found that it is available in an Indian store in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur). Needless to say, I grabbed a packet.  On the long run, I have filtered to the core and have scrutinized hardly with lot many items which I buy from India.  But even to date Samba Gothumai Rava is one main item I write it up in my to-buy list from India(Coimbatore) next to Kerala Rose Matta Rice.
     Upma is a dish which usually takes a back seat in most of the households or as an instant recipe. Upma comes as a rescue dish when Restaurants get overcrowded and all their tiffin items are finished up, even Dosa Batter. I remember such an occasion in Coimbatore Annapoorna, though they serve Upmas as one of their regular tiffin items.  They served Rava Pongal and Gothumai Rava Upma that day and when asked they said all other tiffin items were over because it was a crowded day.  Even a scene from K.Balachander's Tamil movie 'Azhagan', there comes a dialogue similar to the above instance. So is the simplicity & proximity of this Samba Gothumai Rava Upma.

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Cuisine - Kongu Cuisine(South Indian)
Course - Main Course
Difficulty - Easy
Serves - 2-3
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 15-20 Minutes
Cooking Time - 20 - 30 Minutes


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HOW TO COOK BROKEN WHEAT UPMA 

 SAMBA GOTHUMAI RAVA UPMA

BROKEN WHEAT UPMA - SAMBA GOTHUMAI RAVA UPMA

INGREDIENTS :

Broken Wheat Rava / Dhalia/Gothumai Ravai - 2 Cups
Onion - 1 No.
Green Chillies - 3-4 Nos.
Ginger - 1/2" Piece
Garlic - 2 Cloves(Optional)
Curry Leaves - 1 Sprig
Mustard - 1 Tspn
Urad Dhal / Black Gram Dhal - 2 Tspn.
Bengal Gram Dhal - 1 Tspn
Dry Red Chillies - 2 Nos.
Ghee/ Oil - 3 Tbspns
Water - 5-6  Cups
Salt - To Taste

METHOD:

• Chop Onions, Green Chillies, Garlic and Ginger.
• Heat Ghee in a pan, splutter Mustard seeds, fry Bengal Gram Dhal, Urad dhal until they turn into light golden brown in colour.
• Add Dry Red Chillies to the above and give a quick stir.
• Saute Onions, Green Chillies, Ginger, Garlic and Curry Leaves, until Onions turn translucent.
• Pour 5- 6 Cups of Water into the pan and boil.
• Add Salt to taste.
• When Water starts to boil, lower the flame, add a tablespoon of Ghee or oil into it and give a quick stir.
• Slowly add Broken Wheat Rava/Dhalia/Gothumai Rava in small batches.
• Stir continuously while adding the Broken Wheat Rava into the boiling water.
• Mix well and close the pan.
• Leave it on a low flame for 3-4 minutes or until the mixture turns slightly thicker.
• Add some ghee(optional) and stir it at regular intervals.
• Cook on a very low flame until Broken Wheat Rava turns soft.
• Serve Broken Wheat Rava /Gothumai Rava Upma hot with any Chutney, Sambar or any preferred Curries.  Goes well with Curd/Yogurt too.
• Can eat with Sugar sprinkled over it or add some mashed Bananas for a sweet treat.

NOTES :

• The right amount of Water plays a major role in the texture of Broken Wheat Rava/Gothumai Rava Upma. Adjust accordingly.
• Can add a few drops of lemon juice, if you prefer a slight tanginess in your Broken Wheat Rava/Gothumai Rava Upma.
• Can also add vegetables like Carrot, Beans or Peas to this Upma.
• If adding Vegetables add them immediately after sauteing the Onions, and let the vegetable turn soft, before adding water.
• Can add few teaspoons of Ghee to Broken Wheat Rava/Gothumai Rava Upma., at the final stage too.
• Adding Ghee to Broken Wheat Rava/Gothumai Rava Upma gives a nice flavour and texture to the dish.  Can substitute it with Vegetable Oil too.