Sooji Upma

¼ cup cooking oil

2 dried red chile peppers, broken into pieces

2 tablespoons cashews

1 tablespoon skinned split black lentils (urad dal)

1 teaspoon split Bengal gram (chana dal)

1 teaspoon mustard seed

1 pinch asafoetida powder

1 cup chopped onion

3 green chile peppers, sliced into thin rings

1 sprig fresh curry leaves

4 cups water

1 tomato, finely chopped

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root

salt to taste

2 cups semolina (sooji rava)

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, or to taste

2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the dried red chile peppers, cashews, urad dal, chana dal, and mustard seed in the hot oil until the cashews are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle the asafoetida powder into the skillet. Add the onion, green chile peppers, and curry leaves to the mixture; cook and stir until the onions are softened, about 5 minutes.

Pour the water into the skillet along with the tomato, ginger, and salt; bring to a boil. Gradually pour the semolina into the mixture in a thin stream, stirring continually. This is very important. If you add the semolina too quickly, or do not stir quick enough, you will get lumps. Cook and stir until the mixture begins bubbling; reduce heat to low, cover, and allow to cook 10 to 15 minutes. Stir the lime juice and ghee into the mixture. Remove from heat and allow to rest 10 minutes before serving.