Among millets, thinai is one difficult millet to incorporate in everyday cooking. Its good when made as sweets, so I made thinai sweet paniyaram. Want to try sakkarai pongal and payasam later. But what about savory items? So when I got a pack of organic thinai semiya pack from Bhairavi Naturals, I was very happy that I could make something with thinai. So I made upma with this first as I wanted to make savory item. You can steam this and make payasam or mix with sugar and grated coconut as well. But I like upma. And it was very nice. Better than ragi semiya upma also healthier than the regular semiya too.
English: Foxtail Millet; Hindi: Kangni; Tamil: Thinai; Telugu: Korra; Kannada: Navane; Malayalam: Thina
Thinai semiya upma recipe
Recipe Cuisine: Indian | Recipe Category: Breakfast
Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook time: 15 mins | Serves: 1
Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook time: 15 mins | Serves: 1
Ingredients
Thinai semiya – 1 cup heaped
Onion – 1
Green chilli – 2
Carrot, beans, peas – chopped – ½ cup
Ginger, finely chopped – 1 tsp
Salt – As needed
Onion – 1
Green chilli – 2
Carrot, beans, peas – chopped – ½ cup
Ginger, finely chopped – 1 tsp
Salt – As needed
To temper
Oil – 2 tsp
Mustard – ¾ tsp
Urad dal – 2 tsp
Chana dal – 1 tbsp
Curry leaves – 1 sprig
Mustard – ¾ tsp
Urad dal – 2 tsp
Chana dal – 1 tbsp
Curry leaves – 1 sprig
Method
- Keep the thinai semiya immersed in enough water for 3 mins. Drain water completely in a metal strainer.
- Steam cook in an idli pot for 5 minutes. Once done, invert in a plate and fluff. Keep covered. Heat a pan with oil and temper with the items given under ‘To temper’ table.
- Add ginger, onion, green chilli and fry till transparent. Add the finely chopped vegetables. Add little salt needed for veggies and cook covered in low flame for 2-3 mins until the veggies are done.
- Add required salt, the cooked sevai, and mix well for a minute. You can sprinkle with little coconut oil if you want.
Notes
- Do not soak more than 3 minutes, otherwise it will become mushy. Also do not over cook while steaming.
- In step 4, after adding salt, give a quick stir and then the cooked sevai if you feel mixing of salt may be difficult.
- You can make simply without veggies too, but make it healthy by adding veggies.
I had as such, if you want, you can have it with sugar, curd or coconut chutney. 
Yes…incorporating the thinai in daily menu is tough. this is nice . with loads of veggies its healthy
It will be a healthy breakfast.. looks awesome with combo of veggies
that is so perfect!!! I make Ragi semiya like this.. I should scout for Thinai semiya…
Healthy Semiya with veggies… Love it
healthy and tasty upma with loads of veg
We get anil brand millet semiya here and i have tried both ragi and thinai. Hearty breakfast or even a light dinner
healthy breakfast
where can we get thinai semiya? i am from johor bahru
Sorry no idea, I know only inside Singapore. If you have friends over here, you can get ordered and pass it to you.
what is this millet….