Cracked Wheat Upma or Godhuma Ravai Upma

Cracked wheat or Godhumai Ravai ( Tamil) is a product made from crushing raw whole wheat kernels. These kernels are also known as wheat berries or just call them the seeds of the wheat plant. There are 6 classes and 30,000 varieties of wheat. There are 3 parts that make up the wheat. They are the endosperm, the bran and the wheat germ. The endosperm is the largest part of the kernel . It takes up like 80% of the kernel's mass and it is a large storage area of starch from which wheat flour is made up of. The bran is the outer coat of the kernel .There is a good source of fiber in it. It comprises like 14.5% of kernel's mass. The wheat bran is included in whole wheat flour and healthy breakfast cereals in the form of wheat flakes.The wheat germ is the embryo of the wheat plant from which springs new life.It makes about 2.5% of the kernel and it is also included in the whole wheat flour.

Info Source

http://www.library.thinkquest.org/

Ingredients

cracked wheat - 1 1/2 cups

onion - 1 big

g.chillies - 5

frozen tamarind paste - 1 tblsp( this looks like crushed tamarind ice)

water - 3 cups

Seasoning

mustard - 1 tsp

urad dhal - 1 1/2 tsp

channa dhal - 1 1/2 tsp

hing - little

curry leaves - a sprig

Garnish

grated fresh coconut - 1 tblsp

Method

In a stock pot add some oil. Once hot, add the seasonings one by one. Then add chillies and the finely cut onions. Add some turmeric powder and a tsp of salt. Fry well. Now add the slushy, icy tamarind and just saute for a bit till the raw smell is gone. Time to pour the water. Cover and boil for 10 min. Once the water is bubbling hot, add the cracked wheat and mix nicely. In about 5 minutes, the Upma will be ready. Now garnish with fresh coconut. While serving, add a spoon of ghee(clarified butter) to the steaming hot Upma for that special taste. Serve along with coconut chutney!!

I would love to SUBMIT this recipe to the "Show me your breakfast" event.

!!!!!Happy Independence Day to all my Readers!!!!!