Togarikalu Akki (Karnataka Style Rice Rava Upma with Fresh Pigeon Peas)
Cuisine: Karnataka
Course: South Indian Breakfast
Diet: Vegetarian
Description:
Togarikalu Akki is a popular and comforting South Indian breakfast dish from Karnataka. Made with rice rava and fresh green toor dal (pigeon peas), this upma is enriched with aromatic spices and grated fresh coconut, making it a delicious and nutritious start to the day.
Ingredients:
- Rice rava – 2 cups
- Fresh Green Toor Dal (Pigeon Pea) – 1 cup
- Fresh coconut, grated – 3 tablespoons
- Mustard seeds (Rai/Kadugu) – 1 teaspoon
- White Urad Dal (Split) – 1 teaspoon
- Chana dal (Bengal Gram Dal) – 1 teaspoon
- Asafoetida (Hing) – 1/4 teaspoon
- Dry Red Chillies – 2
- Curry leaves – 1 sprig
- Oil – 1 tablespoon
- Salt – to taste
To grind into a coarse mix:
- Arhar dal (Split Toor Dal) – 4 tablespoons
- Cumin seeds (Jeera) – 2 teaspoons
- Whole Black Peppercorns – 1 teaspoon
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Instructions:
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Prepare the coarse mix: In a mixer grinder, combine the toor dal, cumin seeds, and black peppercorns. Grind to a coarse texture and set aside.
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Cook the spices: Heat oil in a pressure cooker on medium heat. Add the mustard seeds, chana dal, and urad dal. Let them crackle.
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Add the flavorings: Next, add the dry red chillies, asafoetida, and curry leaves. Allow them to splutter for a few seconds.
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Add the pigeon peas: Stir in the fresh pigeon peas (toor dal) and sauté for about a minute.
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Add the ground mix: Add the ground toor dal mixture and sauté for another minute, allowing the spices to infuse the dish.
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Cook the rice rava: Add the rice rava to the cooker along with 3 1/2 cups of water and season with salt. Close the lid and cook for one whistle, then turn off the flame. Allow the pressure to release naturally.
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Final touches: Once the pressure has been released, open the lid and gently fluff the upma with a fork to ensure the grains don’t stick together.
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Serve: Serve the Togarikalu Akki hot, ideally in kids’ lunchboxes or as a breakfast dish, paired with a hot cup of masala chai.
Enjoy this delicious Karnataka-style upma with its delightful blend of flavors and spices!
