Oats Khara bhath/Spiced oats with vegetables

People are crazy about eating healthy food these days (I am no exception!). I generally buy a kilogram of oats every alternate month & look out for dishes to satisfy my taste buds. I, being a "not-so-big-fan" of oats, look for smart ways of consuming the oats. During one such search, I found the oats upma recipe in Saffola Oats book.

Don't get alarmed by the exorbitant list of ingredients. They are all common ingredients & always stored at your pantry!

Preparation time: 10mins

Cooking time: 15mins

Serves: 1 hungry me (my hubby is always "no" to oats. Hoping to change him soon :D)

Ingredients:

Quick cooking oats: 1 cup

Water: 1.5 cups

Avarekai/Surtipapdi/Flat beans: 1 tbsp, optional ( I had them handy, then used them)

Chopped capsicum: 1 tbsp

Finely chopped onion: 1 tbsp

Tomato: 1 no(small one), chopped

Green chillies: 2-3 nos

Ginger: 1/4th tsp, grated

Curry leaves: 6-8 nos

Ghee/Clarified butter: 2 tsp

Oil: 1 tsp

Mustard seeds: 1/4 tsp

Cumin seeds: 1/4 tsp

Urad dal: 1 tsp

Cashew nuts: 1 tsp, broken

Turmeric: a pinch

Salt: Adjust to taste

Sugar: 1/2 tsp

For garnish:

Coriander leaves: 1 tsp, chopped

Method:

• Toast the oats for 1-2 minutes in the microwave |OR| use the stove top to roast the oats lightly. Keep it aside.
• Boil the water.
• Meantime, prepare the tempering. Heat oil + ghee in a kadai. When oil is hot, throw in mustard & cumin seeds, urad dal & cashew nuts. When nuts turn golden brown, add the curry leaves & green chillies. 
• When curry leaves become crisp, add the onion & ginger. Saute for 2-3 minutes, until the onion changes its color (no need to brown the onions!).
• Add the tomato & saute for another 30 secs.
• Throw in the capsicum & saute again.
• Add the boiling water to the tempering. Follow with turmeric, salt & sugar.
• Finally add the toasted oats & cook the oats covered on a low heat for 2 minutes. 
• Turn off the flame. Garnish with coriander leaves & enjoy.

Notes:

• It is very important to serve this dish hot, since it becomes goo-ey when it turns cold.
• Other vegetables like carrots, peas, french beans & potatoes could be added.
• Add a teaspoon of ghee just before serving for the extra richness.