Oats Upma - Lunch Box Idea

When it comes to cooking for breakfast or lunch I keep it simple.

With a job which involves a lot of travel across the country I have to treat myself to the food at various restaurants & snack bars & the same goes for my husband so, whenever in town I prefer to cook at home  for my husband & myself.

There is a cafeteria & quite a few eateries within my work campus however, I think no food can match a simple home cooked food. But WHAT!? isn't it?

I spend a lot of time thinking about the food I need to carry. Most times my breakfast as well as lunch are on-the-go. So, I cook easy & keep it easy to carry as well. 

My favorite breakfast items are -  Idlis, Rava Idlis, Vegetable Idlis, Poha, Oats rolls, Stuffed chilla rolls, Veggie stuffed parantha rolls, paneer wraps, Spring rolls etc to name a few.

I carry uncut fruits also as often as possible. Only the melons are cut & the pomegranate de-seeded. I always avoid storing cut Apples, Pears, Bananas, Kiwi fruits, Plum & Oranges. I like to eat them fresh.

Most times I repeat the breakfast item for my lunch as I do not really get much time to cook in the mornings.

So, let us see what I cooked today - OATS UPMA 

This is a great source of fibre & its called the Magic Breakfast in many countries. The wholesome goodness is just so perfect to keep you going through your busy day!

Get some:

• Oats - I used 2 cups of Quaker Oats 
• Onions - 2 medium & chopped
• Tomatoes - 2 medium & chopped
• Green peas - I used the frozen ones, about half a cup
• Capsicum - 1 medium & chopped
• Green Chilies - 3
• Ginger - half inch, finely chopped 
• Mustard seed - 1 tsp
• Urad Dal/white lentils - 1tsp
• Turmeric Powder - just as required
• Garam Masala - if required
• Salt -  as per taste
• Red chili powder -  as per tolerance
• Oil - as required

Method:

Take a pan & roast the oats for about 2 minutes on medium flame. Empty into a plate.

Use the same pan, add oil & when it heats up add the mustard seeds. Let it splutter & then put in the lentils. Saute & as soon as it gets golden brown add the onions, green chilies & ginger to this.

Just when the onions get translucent add the tomatoes, capsicum, green peas, turmeric powder, salt, red chili powder & some garam masala. Cover the pan with a lid. Toss when required & if the vegetables are cooked enough add 3 cups of water to boil. Covering with a lid will help the water boil quickly. When the water starts boiling add the oats to this & mix in well. Cover with a lid again for about a minute.

Serve hot!

Note:

• You may add any vegetable you wish
• Adding turmeric is also optional
• You can squeeze in some lemon juice over this to enjoy tangy oats upma
• I cooked it in Ghee instead of any oil as I used a non stick wok which does not require much grease for cooking