Vermicelli upma

You'll need

• 1 cup roasted vermicelli (seviyan)
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp urad dal
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely diced
• 1 green chilli, slit
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 2 cups water
• Salt, to taste

Method

1. Warm the oil, let the mustard seeds crackle, then add urad dal and curry leaves.
2. Add onion, carrot and green chilli, and cook until the onion softens.
3. Add the water and salt, bring to a boil, then stir in the vermicelli.
4. Cover and cook on low heat for 5 minutes, until the water is absorbed, then fluff with a fork.

Why this dish

Vermicelli is lighter and quicker to digest than many breakfast grains, a gentle start that suits a Vata morning without the heaviness Kapha can struggle to wake up to.