Last Updated on December 14, 2020 by Chef Mireille
Broken Wheat Upma
This Indian Vegan breakfast is often referred to as the Indian polenta. It is an easy and delicious savory breakfast!
Upma is a very typical South Indian breakfast. Traditionally, it is most often made with semolina, however now you will see many different versions made with different grains – even quinoa!
I first had upma when I visited the fabulous Lakeview Cafe at the Renaissance Hotel in Mumbai. Their weekend brunch has such a large variety of foods of both traditional Indian cuisine and western. If you are ever in Mumbai, I highly recommend going there for Sunday brunch!
Now it’s FINALLY time for me to make my own Broken Wheat Upma!
You might also want to check out this post which details more of the breakfasts and other foods I enjoyed while visiting Mumbai! Check it out before you visit so you know what to eat!
It is often translated as the Indian polenta, however, it has a different consistency than polenta. Not as soft as creamy polenta, but not as solid as firm polenta for frying. Upma is somewhere in the middle.
Broken Wheat
Broken Wheat, also known as cracked wheat, may be difficult to find depending where you live. You can substitute bulgur wheat, but please note they are not synonymous. Bulgur Wheat is pre cooked, therefore it cooks much faster. If you are using bulgur, you will need to adjust the liquid quantity to compensate for the shorter cooking time.
If you visit an Indian supermarket, you will be able to find the broken wheat/cracked wheat.
It’s time for the monthly Food Blogger Recipe Swap again and this month I am cooking from Veena’s Veg Nation. She has a large variety of mostly Indian cuisine and lots of delicious baking including cakes, breads and more from around the world.
I only made a few slight changes to her version of Broken Wheat Upma and I am sure you will want to start to include this delicious recipe in your breakfast meal planning.
If you are a food blogger and would like to join our monthly Recipe Swap, please join our Facebook group here.
India is known for their large variety of savory breakfast options. If you would like to check out some more ideas for breakfast, have a look at some of these recipes.
Indian Breakfast Recipes
- Breakfast Poha
- Methi Pudina Poha
- Coriander Matar Poha
- Vegetable Pudla – Besan Ki Cheela
- Rice Cheela
- Ven Pongal Sambar
This Broken Wheat Upma with loads of tomato flavor gives it a great tangy flavor!
Here in America, our breakfasts are often sweet. If you are looking for ideas to start your day with less sugar, Broken Wheat Upma is definitely a delicious option.
Broken Wheat Upma – Indian Vegan Breakfast
Ingredients
- 1 cup broken wheat
- 3 plum tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seed
- 1 teaspoon urad dal
- 2 finely chopped green chillies
- ½ teaspoon rasam powder
- ½ teaspoon jaggery
- ¼ teaspoon asoefetida
- salt to taste
Instructions
- In a dry skillet, roast the broken wheat until it becomes aromatic and starts to change color, about 3-4 minutes.
- Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- With a sharp knife, mark an x on the bottom of each tomato.
- In a pot of boiling water, add tomatoes and cook for a few minutes until the skin cracks.
- Remove to a bowl of ice water and as soon as they cool, remove the skin.
- Puree the tomatoes.
- In a large skillet, heat oil.
- Add mustard seeds. Once they start to pop, add urad dal. Saute for a few seconds.
- Add the chillies and asoefetida. Saute for a few seconds.
- Add 2 ½ cups water, rasam powder, jaggery and salt. Bring to a boil.
- Add broken wheat, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer until all the liquid has been absorbed, 5-10 minutes.
Nutrition
Don’t forget to check out the other recipes from this month’s Food Blogger Recipe Swap!
- Jaisalmeri Kala Chana – Black Chickpea Curry
- Pineapple Chutney
- Bitter Gourd Roast
- Butter Biscuits
- Broken Wheat Upma
- Lobia Vada – Black Eyed Pea Fritters
- Balti Sauce
- Garlic Bread Sticks
- Cuca de Banana – Brazilian Banana Crumb Cake
- Beaten Rice Mix
- Jeera Rice
- Tamarind Chutney
Ready to make Broken Wheat Upma? – I would love to see your pics! Tag me on Instagram @chefmireille #theschizochef with your delicious photos!
Broken wheat upma is one of my most favourite things. We have it for breakfast or dinner, usually. Super healthy and delicious it is!
I am glad I tried it and definitely plan to start adding it to my breakfast routine
They look so delicious. I add vegetables too while preparing this and pressure cook. Adding rasam powder looks like interesting twist.
yes the rasam powder is so easy so you don’t have to worry about adding a bunch of spices
I do like the sound of this upma. Using rasam powder to flavour the upma is such a clever idea.
thank you – yes it makes flavoring it so easy!
Broken wheat upma is a healthy option for breakfast and easy to make too. I would like to try adding rasam powder to it next time. Lovely share.
I use to make broken wheat upma a lot after my kids were born, as it is easy , filling and nutritious. However I have never used Jaggery or sweetened it. Would love to try with jaggery next time.
I had a lot of puma for breakfast on a recent trip to India . I have never made it at home but will try your recipe .
We have it in North Indian style. good idea to add rasam powder to it. must have added so much flavour to it//
yes the rasam powder makes it super easy to season
This is one of my favourite upma and love it with coconut chutney. Love the way, you made it. Looks perfect and inviting.
thank you – it was a super delicious version
We love broken wheat upma and can have it for dinner too. Broken wheat upma looks so inviting and you have made it so well Mir. Glad you liked it. Beautifully presented too
thank you and thanks for the inspiration!
I make this broken wheat upma at least once a month because my hubby likes it a lot. Your upma looks absolutely delicious and perfect. Beautiful presentation too.
thank you – I can see why he loves it. It was so delicious!