CHANA DAL – SAMA UPMA
( BENGAL GRAM – SAMAK RICE UPMA )

Samak rice is the common name for Barnyard millet and they usually used for fasting recipes. Samak rice is also known as samo, moriyo, vari , varai, sanwa etc. in various states of India. Samak rice is high in protein, calcium, iron, minerals and vitamin B complex. This gluten free cereal is low in Carbohydrates. And all the nutrients make this grain beneficial and to get it’s benefits we consume it often and not only during fasting.
Today, I have combined protein rich bengal gram along with samak rice and prepared a delicious and nutritios upma. I have also added veggies. This can be a perfect one pot meal.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Serves: 2 persons

Ingredients:
1/2 cup samak rice
1/4 cup bengal gram
1/2 cup mix vegetables (carrot, green peas, potato)
1 finely chopped onion
4 finely chopped garlic cloves
2 finely chopped green chillies
1″ piece finely chopped ginger
1 sprig currry leaves
1 tbsp oil
1 tbsp ghee
1 tsp cumin seeds
Salt to taste
1 tbsp finely chopped coriander

Method:

1. Wash and soak both samak rice and bengal gram separately at least for three hours. Chop all veggies and keep ready.
2. Heat oil and ghee in a thick bottom pan. Add cumin seeds, once they spultter add ginger garlic and sauté, further add onion, green chillies and curry leaves. Sauté all well.
3. Then add the veggies and the soakes bengal grams. Sauté them for a while and add water and salt. Cover it and cook until everything is half cook.
4. Then add samak rice and cook on a low flame until everything cooks well. If needed, you can add hot water. Then turn off the flame. Sprinkle coriander.
5. Serve hot with curd, papad etc.

Note:

1. Can add peanut, cashew nuts if you wish.