Varai Upma (Cracked Wheat/Bulgar/Dalia/Lapsi) - fasting dish

Varai or Barnyard Millet are tiny, white, round grains belonging to the millet family. In India, cereal grains are not consumed during fasts. Hence, samvat or varai is a popular ingredient during fasting (Upwas) days. Instead of cooking any rice based dish during fasts, samvat or sama or varai grains are used instead, as they belong to millet family and act as a healthy alternative to rice. It looks and tastes so much like couscous. One can also cook it with other grains like broken wheat/dalia/bulgar even couscous using the same recipe.

While growing up my Mom made Varai upma without fail on fasting days of Mahashivaratri, Angarika Sankashti and Navratri- as the whole family used to fast on these days. I was not a big fan of Rava Upma then. But used to like having Varai Upma a lot! It has a fantastic nutty feel and taste to it. When you prepare this dish using little ghee, the taste definitely goes up a notch :)

You can keep it as simple as you like or make it more interesting by adding few vegetables. Gets done in no time. It also serves as a good filling breakfast. A nice variation to have instead of oats and cereal everyday for breakfast. Everyone loves it in my house! I give the credit to my MIL, who makes it often whenever she is visiting us. She basically taught me how to make that nice and fluffy Varai Upma :) Whenever I make it, I go down the memory lane of those fasting days :) which was a welcome change for us as kids hogging on other stuff than regular meals :)

So let us take a look at this recipe of Varai Upma (Samvat) or Broken Wheat Upma

Ingredients:

• 1 cup varai (barnyard millet) OR cracked wheat will do too.
• 1 tbsp ghee (or oil)
• 12 curry leaves
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• pinch of asafoetida
• 2 green chillies slit 
• 1/4 cup grated carrots (optional)
• 1/4 cup green peas (optional)
• 1 1/2 cup water (approx)
• 2 packets of truvia or stevia (or 1 tbsp of sugar)
• salt as per taste
• 2 tbsp grated coconut 
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro for garnish

Preparation:

• In a thick bottom pan or a nonstick pan, heat oil or ghee, add mustard seeds, once it starts spluttering add green chillies, asafoetida, stir immediately, add curry leaves.
• Then add vegetables if you are using. Saute for few seconds. Now add 1 cup of varai and on med-low heat keep stirring for couple of minutes, roast it nicely but do not let it burn, keep stirring continuously.
• Add sugar, salt, grated coconut and mix everything, then add water slowly. 
• Mix and cover the lid. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes on low flame. Open and stir everything if water has evaporated your Upma is done. if not let it cook till water evaporates and Upma becomes nice and fluffy! 
• Garnish with cilantro and have it with a hot cup of Chai or Coffee! 

njoY!! happy cookinG!!

You may also like other healthy breakfast options:

Thalipeeth (Rava Bhakri)
Tomato Omelette (Besan Chilla)
Sabudana Khichdi

  Health Benefits:

Broken wheat, Varai or Barnyard Millet is high in fibre, a very good source of zinc and manganese. It helps to maintain body temperature, is rich antioxidants. The bran layer has fat (good fat) and minerals. It is a good source of B-complex vitamins. It is a good source for diabetic patients, helps accelerate weight loss. Barnyard millet has the lowest carbohydrates content and energy value among all the varieties of millets. It is also gluten-free and has low-GI (Glycemic index)