Upma Recipe (How to Make Rava Upma)

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1. 1Step 1: Roast the sooji on medium heat in a pan for around 5 to 6 minutes until it is fragrant. Stir continuously to avoid burning. Remove the roasted sooji to a bowl or plate.
2. 2Step 2: In the same pan, add the oil on medium heat. Add the mustard seeds and let them pop. Once they pop, add the hing, cashews, chana dal, urad dal, and ginger. Sauté for 1 minute until they become light golden or start changing color.
3. 3Step 3: Add the chopped onion, green chili, and curry leaves. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent.
4. 4Step 4: Add the green peas (if using frozen, soak in warm water for 10 minutes first). Cook the peas for around 2 minutes until the raw smell goes away.
5. 5Step 5: Add 3 cups of water and stir. Add the salt, cilantro, and lemon juice and stir to combine. You may also add 1/2 teaspoon sugar at this point if you like (I did not add any). Let the water come to a boil.
6. 6Step 6: Once the water starts boiling, start adding the roasted sooji, a little at a time. Mix the sooji after each addition in one direction with a wooden spatula to minimize lump formation. Add all the sooji in this way, little by little, until all of it is absorbed by the water.
7. 7Step 7: Once all the sooji has been added, cover the pan with a lid and set the heat to low. Let it remain like that for 2 minutes.
8. 8Step 8: After 2 minutes, turn off the heat and open the lid. Add 1 teaspoon ghee (optional but recommended). Mix the ghee with everything else, cover the pan with the lid again, and let it stay for 1 more minute. Open the lid and fluff the upma with a fork.
9. 9Step 9: Serve upma hot with a cup of chai and a side of coconut chutney and lemon wedge.