
Barnyard millet upma recipe (Kuthiraivali in Tamil / Jhangora in Hindi / Odalu in Telugu / Oodalu in Kannada) was the first millet recipe I tried in my kitchen. But posted thinai paniyaram first. This upma is very easy and basic to cook, can start with this if you are new to millets. Need not worry that cooking millet is complicated. Its really easy and not tricky at all. This tastes similar to arisi upma. You can make it same way as no onion and without vegetables too. But I added veggies. Even bachelors can try this. This is a healthier option for rice upma coz of its nutritional values – improve metabolism of our body. Good for diabetics too. It is rich in calcium, phosphorus, iron and rich in fibre content. When cooked, it gives a lot of volume. Keeps you feel full for long time too.

Kuthiraivali (Barnyard millet) upma recipe
Recipe Cuisine: Indian | Recipe Category: Breakfast
Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook time: 20 mins | Serves: 2
Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook time: 20 mins | Serves: 2
Barnyard millet – 1/2 cup
Water – 1 & 1/2 cups
Onion (skip on fasting days) – 1
carrot, finely chopped – 2 tblsp
Beans, finely chopped – 4
Ginger, very finely chopped – 1 tsp
Green chilli – 2
Salt – As needed
Water – 1 & 1/2 cups
Onion (skip on fasting days) – 1
carrot, finely chopped – 2 tblsp
Beans, finely chopped – 4
Ginger, very finely chopped – 1 tsp
Green chilli – 2
Salt – As needed
To temper
Coconut oil/ or any cooking oil – 1 tblsp
Mustard – 3/4 tsp
Urad dal – 1 tsp
Channa dal – 1 tblsp
Curry leaves – 1 sprig
Mustard – 3/4 tsp
Urad dal – 1 tsp
Channa dal – 1 tblsp
Curry leaves – 1 sprig
Method:
- Wash the millet once or twice and drain water completely.
- Heat a kadai with oil, temper with the items given under ‘To temper’ table in order. Followed by onion, green chilli and ginger. Fry till onion turns transparent. Add veggies and fry for 2 minutes in low flame.
- Add water and salt. Bring to boil and add the millet. Mix well.
- Cook covered in low flame for 8 to 10 minutes or until all water dries up.
Notes
- Can be garnished with grated coconut.
- Coconut oil and ginger adds nice flavor.
- If making without onion and veggies, add asafoetida while tempering and add pepper powder for flavor.
Serve hot with any spicy coconut chutney or even sugar. I had with peanut chutney.
Healthy upma…
Raks one doubt? 1/2 cup milletkku 3 cups water venduma?
delicious healthy upma
Where can we buy them?
May I know where do you live?
Love your pot, where did you find them..And love your upma..
Raks.Enriching entries.Do tell me when you find this in Singapore.i suppose you bought from India.
Have to explore all these raks. Nice pics!
In US, it is fine if you can tell about the sources in India. If you can tell online sources or places in US still the better
Healthy upma:-)love the texture
healthy upma
Hi Raks,
Great looking and healthy upma!
If I use thinai arisi instead (which I bought last week :)), then can I follow the same method (soaking time included)?
Btw, loving the golden server pot!!! (where from?)
best,
Hasita
Yes you can sure try the same way, same water proportion…
I got this brass bowl from chennai Rathna stores 🙂
Raks cud u pls tell me which coconut oil do v need to use pls? Can v use normal parachute , I think the smell will be different….
VVD is edible so you can use it for cooking
Sridevi, try sprouts farmers market
Is this the same as couscous or is this a different grain?
Different.
Superb.. Thanks for the recipes…
nice.iam trying this today
Nice, thanks raks
Hi Raks, I tried this Upma. A doubt. I added 3 cups of water to 1 cup of kuthiraivali. It is sticky even after longtime. Am I right with the measurement? Thanks
Check if your millet is unpolished ones. Is it white or dull in colour? Its like difference between brown rice and white rice.
Thanks for the reply. I haven't tried brown rice. So how should i cook unpolished or dull ones?
I too have not cooked it, so no idea sorry that I could not help you with this.
Thank you, Raks!
1 cup 2 cups water is it ok
Hi its nice recipes update more millet recipes
By
Selvi.v
Hi Raks this is my first recipe with millets. Was a bit tensed if my hubby & daughter would complain. But exactly followed ur recipe. Came out very eell. they also liked it. Thanks so much. Chitra
Tried the upma and tasted good. All the 4 of us liked in the family…
Hi ….this upma was so nice..thanks a lot for good receipes
Can we make this upma as like our normal arisiupma?
Yes you can. You mean grinding or method. Either ways yes can.
Hello,
Foe Uppma do we need to soak the Millet or wash and cook as per instructions.
Thanks.
No need to soak, just wash and cook as mentioned.