Semolina Halwa/Sooji Halwa

Another 10th and time for the MFB Challenge.This month I never thought I would participate because the whole month of March till today I have been very busy.Once the school re opened I thought I will have enough time for myself but nothing happened like that.There will be always something or the other.We had guests most of the days and then my exams on Tajweed class I attend.

Rava Upma / Semolina Upma

Upma is a healthy breakfast very popular in the southern part.This is one breakfast which can be made in a jiffy.But for the 'poor lazy me' I can't prepare this often as half of my beautiful family members don't like upma...whenever it's upma for breakfast they search shelves for biscuits.But recently I found my younger one Azi eating it with a little sugar (like my hubby,who otherwise doesn't have a sweet tooth)..and he said he liked it.Alhamdulillah it was a great thing for me..because to feed him means....
 Usually I prepare this on Fridays,because being a holiday,everyone gets up a little late and will be having a heavy meal for lunch(after the prayers) that is a biriyani or ghee rice,so those who don't have a breakfast that day there's no problem..Now coming to the recipe...

Ingredients
Rava/Sooji/Semolina      11/2 cup
Water                            3 cups(boiling)
Onion                            1 medium (finely chopped)
Carrot grated                 3 tbsp
Coriander leaves            3 tbsp
Green chillies                 2-3 slit lengthwise
Ginger chopped             2 tsp
Mustard seeds              1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds                 1/2 tsp
Urad dal/Split black gram     1 tsp
Dry red chilli             1
Salt                            as needed
Oil                             2 tbsp
Ghee                          1 tbsp

Method Of Cooking
-Heat a pan.Add oil and ghee.
-Simultaneously on another stove keep water for boiling. 
-Now add the mustard seeds to the oil and when it starts to splutter add the cumin seeds and the urad dal.
-After 2-3 seconds add the dry red chilly and the chopped onion.
-Saute for a minute and add the green chilly and the chopped ginger.
-Now add the grated carrot and the coriander leaves.Saute for a minute.
-Add in the Semolina and saute for 2-3 minutes on medium flame (be careful not to burn).Also add the salt and mix properly.
-Now add the boiling water and give a quick stir(so that the semolina and salt gets mixed properly without forming any lumps).
-Mix well stirring till the water gets absorbed completely and the upma gets cooked,cover it with a lid for 4-5 minutes on low flame.
-Now switch off the flame,fluff up the upma and serve.

*Adding carrot and coriander leaves is optional.Instead of coriander leaves you may add curry leaves and veggies of your choice..beans,green peas etc..or make it just plain without any veggies.

Thari Pola/Steamed Semolina Cakes

Ingredients
Egg                  2
Sugar             1/2 cup
Semolina/Rava     1cup
Ghee          1 tbsp(as needed)
Raisins           as needed
Cashew nuts    "  "
Cardamom Powder     1/2 tsp
Vanilla Powder            1/4 tsp

 Method
-Heat a frying pan and dry roast the semolina for 3 to 5 minutes on medium flame.Take care not to burn this and also it does not change in colour.Keep this aside.
-In  another bowl add sugar and the eggs.Beat this well till the sugar dissolves completely and the egg mixture becomes a little thick.Add the cardamom and vanilla powder.Mix well.
-Now add the roasted semolina to the egg mixture and combine well.
-Grease the idly moulds with a little ghee and pour 1 spoon full of batter in each mould.Top each batter with cashew nuts and raisins.
-Steam this on medium flame for about 7 to 10 minutes (till it is cooked well).
-Serve this hot or cold.