A Twist on Vegetable Jowar Umpa

I was searching through recipes that incorporate sorghum into them and happened upon a recipe for Vegetable Jowar Upma. I modified the recipe a bit based on the ingredients I had on hand.The recipe was a hit. My husband and I will try it again ... with some variations.

I enjoy using sorghum in recipes as it is high in protein, iron, and fiber. In recipes where I used to use barley, I tend to substitute sorghum once I had to start eating a gluten free diet. 

This dish comes together much faster if you have the sorghum ready ahead of time. I usually make a large batch of sorghum and use it for a few recipes. 

The cooking ratio is 1 cup sorghum : 2 cups liquid.

 

 

 

Ingredients:

• 1 -1.5 inch piece of ginger root ... peeled and diced 
• NOTE: I take peels of ginger and boil in water to make ginger tea.
• 2 cups sorghum
• 4 cups liquid ( I used half water and half vegetable broth)
• 1/2 to 1 cup vegetable broth to prepare vegetables
• 1 onion - diced
• 3 large cloves of garlic - crushed and diced 
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp turmeric
• just enough olive oil to sautee vegetables
• 4 tbsp peanuts
• 2 green chilies ( I substituted crushed red pepper flakes - 2 tbsp)
• 1 carrot - diced 
• 1/2 cup corn
• 1/2 cup peas 
• Optional: Drizzle with lemon juice at serving
• NOTE: I did not have the corn or peas. I WOULD add next time along with one red bell pepper to add more color to the dish.
• NOTE: I would add  diced potatoes

TIP: I would add fried tofu or chickpeas (perhaps roasted) at serving for a more substantial dish. You could add chicken if you wish to make this a meal with meat.  

Instructions:

• Prepare sorghum in a pot.
• In a pan add the olive oil, pepper, chilies or crushed red pepper, peanuts, and turmeric
• After the spices heat for a minute or two, add the vegetables and sautee in the oil and spice blend. 
• Add 1/2 cup of vegetable broth at a time to the mixture. Prepare vegetables so they are el dente
• Add the sorghum and stir to combine
• When all the liquid is absorbed it is ready to plate. 
• Optional: Drizzle with lemon juice at serving