Little Millet Upma Samai Upma

Little millet upma was my first ever millet recipe and I’m glad I tried it. While people often talk about rava upma or vermicelli upma, this is a fantastic addition to the Upma family 😊. Its taste is quite similar to Rava Upma. This recipe can be made for breakfast or dinner. The variations are endless, and adding vegetables adds nutrition and color. I have made a few recipes with millets such as pongal, bisibelebath, little millet lemon rice, bajra(pearl millet) khichdi, kodo millet pulao, millet curd rice, and dosa. But there are a lot of recipes to make with these wonder grains. I have shared stovetop pot and Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) methods of making Millet Upma below.

What Are Millets?

Millets are Ancient Grains. Mankind has known its nutritional value for centuries. They are naturally gluten-free. Millet can also be used as a healthier alternative to rice and in salad recipes or as a side dish.

Is Little Millet good for health?

|Little Millet in English |Samai in tamil| Kutki in Hindi|Saame Akki in Kannada|Chama in Malayalam| Sama in Telugu is a very healthy variety of millet. For humans, millets release glucose slowly into the bloodstream, unlike highly processed rice and wheat, which release it quickly. Millets are highly nutritious and rich in calcium, protein, and fiber, among other nutrients. Additionally, they are gluten-free, unlike wheat.

How to Make Little Millet/Samai Upma Recipe

Firstly, wash the Little Millet and soak it in water for at least 15-30 minutes. In a Kadai, add oil, mustard seeds, and jeera, and let them splutter. Then add hing, green chilies, ginger (if using), and curry leaves. Sauté for a few seconds until fragrant. Then add onion. Saute for a minute or two till the onion turns slightly brown. Next, add finely chopped mixed veggies, and salt. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Then add 1 cup of water and bring it to a boil. Drain the soaked samai and add it to the boiling water. Mix well. Adjust the salt at this stage. Then cover with a lid and cook for about 8-10 minutes on low flame. Note: Since we soaked it for 15 minutes, it reduced the cooking time. Once the little millet is fully cooked (until all the water has been absorbed, thoroughly cooked, and looks grainy), turn off the gas. Then, stir in the grated coconut, coriander leaves, and lime juice. Lastly, mix well and Serve Little Millet Upma (Samai Upma) hot with coconut chutney or chutney powder.

How to Make Little Millet Upma in Instant Pot

Wash the Little millet and soak it in water for at least 15-30 minutes. Press SAUTE, add oil, once hot, add in the mustard seeds, jeera and let them splutter. Then add hing, green chilies, ginger (optional), curry leaves, and saute for a few seconds. Then add onion. Saute for a minute or two till the onion turns slightly brown. Add chopped mixed vegetables, soaked millet, ¾ cup of water, salt, and mix well. Deglaze the pot, i.e., scrape any food particle that is sticking to the inner pot to avoid the BURN alert. Close the lid on the pot, and turn the pressure valve to the SEALING position. Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set the timer to 4 minutes (If not soaking millets, set the timer to 6 minutes). When the instant pot beeps, do a Natural pressure release. Lastly, add grated coconut, coriander leaves, and lime juice and mix well. Serve Instant Pot Little Millet Upma with coconut chutney and chai.

Storage Suggestions

Store: Leftover millet upma can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Freeze: You can freeze it in a freezer-safe ziplock or container for up to 2 months. Reheat: Sprinkle some water and reheat in a microwave or cook on the stovetop until warm. If frozen, thaw it on the kitchen counter for a few hours before reheating.

Tips & Variations

Soaking reduces cooking time. So soak the little millet for at least 15 minutes. If you are in a hurry and do not have time to soak, add 1 ½ cups of water while cooking for ½ cup of little millet, i.e., [3:1] ratio for the stovetop pot method. You can replace the little millets with any available variety of millets, such as foxtail millet, barnyard millet, or Kodo millet. You can add any vegetables of your choice. Increase or decrease spice according to your preference. You can make upma without vegetables and onions too.