Chatpata Oats

After getting my husband to have broccoli (soup) last week, I decided to try my luck with a breakfast dish. Even though my experiment was successful, he ate only a spoonful!!! I don’t blame him though; he is not a fan of oats. Anyway, my mother makes this awesome tamarind upma with aval/poha/flattened rice flakes. I was making sambar a couple of days ago and had some extra tamarind pulp. That’s when a brain wave hit and I was like, “Why not try making the upma with oats; after all it has a similar texture.” 

Since this was an experiment, I made it with a small quantity. Next time, I am definitely making more of this spicy, tangy, Chatpata oats. :-)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

Oats – ½ cup

Tamarind pulp – 2 tbsps.

Sambar powder – 1-1 ½ tsps.

Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp.

Asafoetida – a pinch

Chili powder (optional)

Water – 1-2 tbsps.

Salt to taste

Oil – 1 tbsp.

Mustard seeds – 1 tsp.

Red chili - 1

Peanuts (optional) – 1 tbsp.

Curry leaves – Few

Method

In a bowl, mix together the oats, tamarind pulp, sambar powder, turmeric powder, asafoetida, chili powder (only if sambar powder is not spicy), and salt.

Keep aside for 4-5 hours or over night.

When you are ready to make it, heat oil in a pan. Add the mustard seeds and once they splutter, add the curry leaves and red chili. Sauté for a minute and add the peanuts. Sauté for another minute and add the oats mixture.

Sprinkle one tablespoon of water, cover and allow it to cook for a couple of minutes. If the oats looks uncooked, sprinkle the remaining water, cover and cook for 2-3 minutes more. Remove from the pan and serve hot as breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack. 

Note: The oats becomes soft by the end of the soaking period and does not need a lot of water to cook. Excess water might make it mushy, so do not pour water…sprinkle only.