Sooji, also known as semolina, is a versatile and widely used ingredient in Indian cuisine, celebrated for its light, fluffy texture and quick cooking time. Packed with essential nutrients like iron, fiber, and protein, it provides a nourishing meal that fuels your day without weighing you down. Its low glycemic index makes it an ideal choice for those looking to manage blood sugar levels, offering sustained energy and keeping you full for longer.
Sooji’s adaptability shines in a variety of dishes, ranging from spicy and savory to mild and sweet. Whether it’s a crunchy snack, a soft breakfast, or a deep-fried treat, semolina satisfies your hunger while catering to diverse tastes and textures. There are some recipes which you can try at home which is quick, easy to made with semolina:
1. Vegetable Rava Upma
A hot bowl of upma is like a morning hug. It is plain, wholesome, and heartwarming. This South Indian dish is made by toasting semolina to bring out its nutty fragrance. It is afterward tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chilies, and urad dal to give it more flavor.
The inclusion of colorful vegetables such as carrots, beans, green peas, and occasionally tomatoes, makes it a fiber-packed and nutritious breakfast. The secret to ideal upma is roasting the rava properly and mixing it quickly with hot water.
The addition of hot water ensures that no lumps are formed. You can serve it hot with coconut chutney, a spoonful of ghee, or even plain yogurt for an added flavor boost.
2. Instant Rava Dosa
Most people enjoy dosa but regular dosa takes so much time. Rava dosa is the ideal substitute as it does not require time to soak and ferment the batter. This instant one is made using semolina, rice flour, and curd. It will give a very thin, lacy dosa with crisp edges and a light, airy texture.
The cumin seeds, green chilies, and fresh coriander-flavoured batter. The batter should be watery which makes it spread perfectly on a hot tawa. Cooked till it turns golden brown and served with coconut chutney or hot tomato chutney. The dish is a pure morning treat with no preparation required in advance.
3. Rava Chilla
Rava chilla is a spiced, savory Indian pancake that may be prepared within minutes. The batter for it consists of semolina, curd, water, and a mix of finely chopped veggies like onions, tomatoes, and capsicum. It is left for a short time to enable the semolina to soak up water after cooking.
The pancake would be soft with a slightly crisp texture. The goodness of this recipe is in its versatility. You can add grated carrot, spinach, or even paneer for a nutrition boost. Serve it hot with green chutney or yogurt for a healthy and tasty breakfast.
4. Oats Rava Palak Dhokla
When we hear the word Dhokla, we usually associate it with gram flour. As we got the time restraint, there is a new instant Dhokla dish has been created. This instant dhokla is a fiber and protein powerhouse. It brings together the goodness of semolina, oats, and spinach. The batter is then combined with curd, green chili paste, and fruit salt to get a light and fluffy texture.
The dhokla would be soft and spongy when steamed to a perfect texture, It will also contain subtle sweetness from the oats and an earthy taste from the spinach. A light tempering of mustard seeds and curry leaves will also provide an irresistible crunch. It will make an ideal breakfast dish. Serve it with mint chutney and a hot cup of tea for a refreshing morning start.
5. Instant Rava Appe
Rava appe (also paniyaram) is the way to go for the South Indian flavor lover who needs a bite-sized, fun breakfast. These are like tiny and spherical dumplings. The dish is made by combining semolina with curd. You can add finely chopped vegetables and spices, The cooking appe is only done with a special appe pan with minimal oil.
These little balls will be turned out as crispy on the outside with a soft, fluffy inside. These golden treats are ideal for dipping in coconut chutney or sambar and can even be carried on the run as a quick snack. There is no grinding involved or fermentation, which makes them an easy breakfast option.
6. Rava Pongal
Pongal is a South Indian staple breakfast. It is ordinarily prepared using rice and moong dal. Here we can substitute rice with semolina which will result in a lighter, quicker variant. Rava Pongal is a warm, slightly spiced dish prepared using roasted semolina, lentils, black pepper, cumin, and fresh ginger.
The slow-cooked moong dal contributes a creamy texture. Pongal is eaten with ghee. The addition of a drizzle of melted ghee imparts aroma and flavor. It's a protein-rich meal that makes you full and active till lunchtime. Serve it with coconut chutney or with a serving of pickles as a full meal.
7. Crispy Rava Vada
Rava vada is a quick treat for a crispy and crunchy breakfast. It involves no fermentation. In the more traditional urad dal vadas, this version requires an easy batter of semolina and curd. It is then flavored with green chilies, ginger, and fresh coriander.
The batter is rolled into small circular discs and then deep-fried into golden brown, This will create a round version Indian savoury doughnut. Each bite is a burst of flavor, a crunchy outside giving way to a soft, slightly tart interior. Serve with coconut chutney and a piping hot cup of tea for a breakfast that's simply satisfying.
Sooji-based breakfasts are healthy, and flavorful way to start your day. Whether it's a warm bowl of upma, crispy rava dosa, or fluffy dhokla, these recipes are easy to make in just minutes. They require no fermentation or overnight soaking, making them perfect for busy mornings. Enjoy a nutritious and tasty breakfast without the hassle!
