Millet Upma Recipe

Millet Upma is a wholesome and low-fat breakfast dish made with millet, vegetables, and spices. It’s a healthy and satisfying way to start your day, offering a great alternative to traditional upma made with semolina. For the Hare Krishna community, Millet Upma is more than just a dish—it is a sacred offering prepared with love and devotion. This recipe aligns with dietary principles that exclude onions and garlic, making it suitable for prasadam (sanctified food offered to Krishna).

Millet Upma Recipe offered to Krishna in a bowl, garnished with fresh coriander leaves.
A bowl of Millet Upma, ready to offer to Krishna.

This post explores the significance, ingredients, preparation, and spiritual essence of Hare Krishna Millet Upma.

The Essence of Hare Krishna Millet Upma

Hare Krishna Millet Upma is a nourishing and savory dish that provides a wholesome start to the day. This recipe uses millet as a base, which is not only nutritious but also a great gluten-free option.

Ingredients and Their Spiritual Significance

Each ingredient in Hare Krishna Millet Upma is chosen not only for its flavor but also for its health benefits and spiritual symbolism:

  • Millet: Represents sustenance and nourishment, symbolizing the sustaining energy of Krishna.
  • Vegetables: Add vitality and color, symbolizing the abundance provided by nature.
  • Spices: Enhance the flavor, symbolizing the rich experiences in spiritual practice.

How to Make Millet Upma

Now that you know the significance of the ingredients, you’re ready to make this wholesome breakfast dish.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup millet (such as foxtail millet)
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup carrot, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup green peas
  • 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon urad dal (split black gram)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 green chili, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Roast Millet: In a dry pan, roast the millet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until it emits a nutty aroma. Set aside.
  2. Prepare Vegetables: In the same pan, heat 1 teaspoon of oil. Add mustard seeds, urad dal, and cumin seeds. Once they splutter, add the chopped onion and green chili. Sauté until the onions are translucent.
  3. Cook Millet and Vegetables: Add the chopped carrots, green peas, turmeric powder, and salt. Sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the roasted millet and 2 cups of water. Stir well, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the millet is cooked and the water is absorbed, about 10-12 minutes.
  4. Garnish and Serve: Fluff the upma with a fork, garnish with fresh coriander leaves, and serve hot. Enjoy your nourishing Millet Upma!

The Spiritual Practice of Making Millet Upma

For the Hare Krishna community, the act of cooking and preparing food is deeply spiritual. Every ingredient is treated with respect and reverence, and the food is prepared with the intention of offering it to Krishna. The use of simple, pure ingredients in Millet Upma ensures that it is suitable for offering as prasadam.

When preparing Millet Upma, devotees often chant the Hare Krishna mantra or other devotional prayers. This practice helps in focusing the mind on Krishna and ensures that the food being prepared is imbued with spiritual vibrations. The resulting Millet Upma, when added to prasadam, enhances not only its nourishing qualities but also its spiritual potency.

Last Bite

Hare Krishna Millet Upma is a wholesome and satisfying dish that holds a special place in Hare Krishna cuisine. Its combination of millet, vegetables, and spices makes it a perfect way to start the day with health and devotion. For the Hare Krishna community, Millet Upma is more than just a dish—it is a way to express devotion and love for Krishna through food. By preparing and using Millet Upma with mindfulness and devotion, devotees can transform ordinary meals into sanctified offerings that nourish both the body and the soul.

Print

Millet Upma Recipe

Hare Krishna Millet Upma is a wholesome and nourishing breakfast dish perfect for starting your day. This easy-to-make upma combines millet with vegetables and spices to create a nutritious and satisfying meal.

  • Author: Chandra-Vadana Chaitanya das
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Breakfast, Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup millet (such as foxtail millet)
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup carrot, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup green peas
  • 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon urad dal (split black gram)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 green chili, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Roast Millet: In a dry pan, roast the millet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until it emits a nutty aroma. Set aside.
  2. Prepare Vegetables: In the same pan, heat 1 teaspoon of oil. Add mustard seeds, urad dal, and cumin seeds. Once they splutter, add the chopped onion and green chili. Sauté until the onions are translucent.
  3. Cook Millet and Vegetables: Add the chopped carrots, green peas, turmeric powder, and salt. Sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the roasted millet and 2 cups of water. Stir well, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the millet is cooked and the water is absorbed, about 10-12 minutes.
  4. Garnish and Serve: Fluff the upma with a fork, garnish with fresh coriander leaves, and serve hot. Enjoy your nourishing Millet Upma!

Notes

  • Millet Variety: Feel free to use any type of millet, such as barnyard or finger millet, for this recipe.
  • Spice Level: Adjust the amount of green chili for a milder or spicier upma.
  • Serving Suggestion: Serve this upma with a side of yogurt or a pickle for added flavor.
  • Storage Tip: Store any leftover upma in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 180 kcal
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Hare Krishna Maha Mantra