Semiya Upma Recipe (Vermicelli Upma)

Semiya Upma is a popular south Indian Breakfast Recipe made with vermicelli, vegetables, lentils, cashews and spices. Also known as vermicelli upma, healthy, vegan and savoury breakfast dish that can be made in 25 minutes. Serve semiya upma with coconut chutney, tomato chutney, sugar or yogurt. Learn how to make authentic, non-sticky semiya upma made two ways with or without vegetables with proper step-wise pictures & video.

Semiya Upma

Semiya / Sevia / Vermicelli Upma is our staple. I make it atleast once in a week for breakfast. This is our go to recipe, which uses few spices and ingredients. This is one particular light-breakfast dish which can be enjoyed without any side dish.

Amma makes it simple, she just tempers basic spices like mustard, urad dal, curry leaves in oil and saute onion, chilli and ginger. Add in semiya and water and Cook.

About Semiya Upma

Delicious vermicelli, aromatics, spices, cashews, and herbs are used to make the semiya upma. Vermicelli upma is another name for this dish, which has distinctive flavours and textures. It is very similar to the well-known upma - breakfast dish from South India.

Wheat, which is produced by grinding very hard wheat, is used to make vermicelli. It only contains wheat, water, and a dash of salt.

This South Indian breakfast vermicelli upma can be enjoyed with Tomato Chutney, Idli podi, Curd, & Mango pickle.

Watch Semiya Upma Video

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Egg Semiya Upma

Mutton Semiya

Semiya Biryani

Ingredients for Making Semiya Upma

Vermicelli | Semiya

Semiya or vermicelli is a good source of carbohydrates and energy that has a relatively low cholesterol content. I use roasted semiya for fluffy non-sticky end product even when it is completely cold which makes a perfect lunch box dish.

Whole Spices

Spices like mustard seeds, chana dal, urad dal, cashews or peanuts made base for this upma. Another important spice to add aroma to the upma is asafoetida (hing) gives earthy pungent flavour which is unique to every upma dish.

Onions

Onions are considered a basic ingredient or the foundation of Indian cooking and are used to make any gravy, curry, or bhuna dish. The flavour and aroma of onion transforms any ordinary dish into a mouthwatering and delectable one. Specially it gives unique aroma which cannot be substituted.

Vegetables

Even though vegetables are optional, add it into the upma for health benefits and taste. Mixed veggies like carrots, green beans, green peas adds colour and more nutrition to your dish.

Which Semiya | Vermicelli to Use for Upma?

One of the main ingredient used in making upma is vermicelli.Semiya upma is made with two variety of semiya which are available in the market. There are many variety of vermicelli pasta available in the Indian market. Ragi vermicelli, rice vermicelli, millet vermicelli and many more which is used in making semiya upma.

Roasted vermicelli - These are fine vermicelli which is already roasted and comes in golden colour. I prefer this variety because it makes my job easier. Since the semiya is roasted, you don't have to roast it again for making upma. You can directly add it to hot water and cook. Roasted vermicelli gives fluffier upma than unroasted

Unroasted vermicelli - if you are using this variety, you have to take your time roast it before hand in a separate pan for 2 to 3 minutes in ghee or oil before making upma. You can make upma without roasting the semiya as well, in that case the upma tends to be soggy.

Expert Tips for Perfect Semiya Upma

Semiya | vermicelli can be quite tricky to cook, because it is quite starchy and can be over cooked within seconds and gets mushy or sticky. The key to get perfect semiya upma depends on few factors. lets see what are those.

Roasted Semiya

I strongly recommend you to buy roasted semiya which is readily available in markets. It looks deep golden in colour just like the image shown above. Using roasted vermicelli makes your upma less sticky and fluffy.

Water Ratio for Semiya Upma

• For Store bought roasted vermicelli, you can add upto 21/2 cup water for every 1 cup of semiya. 
• If your vermicelli is much fine and thinner, add 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of semiya. 

How to Make Vermicelli Upma with Vegetables

1)Heat oil or ghee in a pan. Add in mustard seeds, chana dal, urad dal, cashews and asafoetida. Let them sizzle.

2)Add in curry leaves and grated ginger.

3)Add in onions, green chillies. Saute for 30 seconds.

4)Add in vegetables. I used chopped carrots, green beans and green peas.

5)Season with salt. Saute for 1 mins.

6)Add in water and bring it to a boil.

7)In goes roasted vermicelli and mix well.

8)Cover and cook on a lowest heat for 10 minutes.

9)Remove the lid half way through and mix it gently.

10)Cover it and cook on low heat.

11)Vermicelli Upma done.

12)Mix the upma gently.

13)Semiya upma with vegetables is ready to serve.

How to Make Semiya Upma (Stepwise Pictures)

Roasting vermicelli

1)Heat 2 tablespoon oil in a pan. Add 1 cup vermicelli and roast for 3 to 5 mins until golden brown. Remove it to a bowl and set aside.

Tempering spices

2)In the same pan, pour 1 tablespoon of oil and add -

• 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
• ½ tsp Cumin Seeds
• 1 tsp Urad dal
• 1 sprig Curry leaves
• 2 Dry Red Chillies broken
• ¼ tsp Asafoetida

3)Add in one finely chopped onions, 2 finely chopped green chillies and saute for 1 minute.

4)Season with salt and saute for few more seconds.

Semiya Upma Water Ratio

5)For 1 cup of roasted semiya, pour in 2 cups of water. Bring water to a full boil.

6)Add in 1 cup of roasted semiya and mix well. Cover and cook on low heat for 5 to 10 mins until semiya is done.

7)Once you add in the semiya, cover the lid and cook on a very low heat.

8)One the semiya absorbs all the water, finish the upma by adding ½ cup freshly grated coconut (optional) and 3 tbsp chopped coriander leaves. This add so much flavour to the dish. You can add in 1 tsp of ghee and squeeze in some lemon juice.

9)Mix the coconut and coriander leaves into the upma while it is still hot and take it off the heat.

10)Simple basic semiya upma done.

Variations

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Vermicelli?

Vermicelli is a typical noodle similar to spaghetti in shape. Vermicelli is a refined wheat product that offers energy, a little amount of protein, and is easily digestible.

What is Semiya made up of?

It only contains wheat, water, and a dash of salt. Popular instant food item is vermicelli. It is a wheat-based extruded product and belongs in that category. Sometimes ingredients like groundnut, soy, or tapioca flour is used.

Is Semiya Upma good for health?

Semiya upma is a healthy dish and has relatively low calorie compared to other breakfast dish. It keeps you full longer and feels light on tummy. Also you can pack it with vegetables and makes it much healthy. If you are looking for healthy alternatives, try my ragi vermicelli upma recipe.

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