I made Varyache Tandul and Danyachi Amti for Ashadi Ekadashi and has a bit of Samo Rice or Varai leftover. Then my friend Aparna made Samo Rice Upma with it the same afternoon and I thought what a great idea. You could have also called it Samo Rice Pulao | Varai Pulav | Samai Pulav as it had all the veggies in it.
So this evening I tried Aparna’s way of cooking Samo Rice (or Varai as it is called in Marathi) and it turned out just great. I ate it with Curd or Yogurt, but you could also serve it with Sambar or Raita.
Recipe for Varai Pulav | Samai Pulao | Samo Rice Upma
Varai Pulav | Samai Pulao | Samo Rice Upma
This is a variation of an mixed vegetable upma made with Varai or Samo (also called Little Millet in English).
- 1 Cup Samo Rice or Varai
- 1/3 Cup Finely Chopped Carrot
- 1/3 Cup Finely Chopped Beans
- 1/3 Cup Peas
- 4 to 5 Green Chillies
- 1 tsp Jeera or Cumin Seeds
- 1/2 tsp Rai or Mustard Seeds
- 1/3 tsp Grated Ginger
- 1 tbsp Ghee (Vegans use oil)
- 6 Cups Water
- A Few Curry Leaves
- Salt to Taste
- Dry roast the Samo Rice for about 5 minutes.
- Spread in a plate and set aside.
- In a kadhai or wok, heat the ghee.
- Add the mustard seeds and wait till they splutter.
- Add the cumin seeds.
- Stir-fry for a few seconds.
- Add the finely chopped green chillies, grated ginger and curry leaves.
- Stir-fry for a few seconds.
- Add the carrots, beans, and peas.
- Stir-fry for a couple of minutes.
- Add 3 cups of water.
- Over medium heat cook the vegetables till done.
- Add 3 cups water and some salt.
- Bring to a boil.
- Add the roasted Samo.
- Mix well.
- Cover and cook till all the water is absorbed and the Samo Rice/Varai is cooked.
- Serve the Samo Rice Upma or Varai Pulav hot with some Raita and Papad.
Millets are becoming popular these days. Love this simple samo rice.
Where do you buy your millets from Aruna? This looks yummy!
In Mumbai, it is commonly available. I buy at Palaniappan or Canara stores in Matunga. Online, it is available at BigBasket.
Hi Aruna what is the Tamil name is it thinking Samali Varati or kudiraivali ? What is vratham rice in north India?
Thinking or Samali or kudiraivali what is the Tamil name for vratham rice ?
Samai, though you can make with Thinai or Kuthiraivali also. 🙂
What is vratham rice in Tamil is it Samali ,Varati kudiraivali or thin air?
Nice recipies but little confused as the Tamil name is not there
I love using millets alternative to the regular rice. Loved your version of simple, tasty and healthy rice.
Samo rice upma looks super tempting Aruna. Perfect share for this fasting days. Fasting recipe with all the goodness of vegetables. Superb.
This is such a colorful and healthy pulao for vrat. In Punjab, we don’t use so many veggies during vrat.
WoW what a great idea of using Samo Rice in pulao. It look delicious
We love making upma with millets, and am sure this dish will definitely my family’s tastebuds.
I love mixed vegetables pulao but never tried it with Samo rice. This looks great! A totally new recipe for me to try. ?
Aruna, I love the taste of samo…so jealous of the friend who got to eat this treat 🙂
So tempting pulao with lots of vegetables .
What a healthy, nutritious and delicious upma that is. I am definitely going to try this one real soon. Thank you for sharing this simple everyday recipe.
Nice and filling meal for fasting days.
Samo rice is something that we make during or fast/vrat. Love this simple and filling recipe 🙂
That is a perfect recipe for fasting days
Perfect for fasting. I love the pictures and each of the grain i so separate yet cooked.
Nice and filling meal for fasting days.. beautiful clicks.
Looks very nice! I’ve yet to try this rice.
The texture is just perfect.. Always im looking for new millet reicipes.. This is so yumm.
This samo rice looks like a lovely alternate to normal rice. I love the fact that you can make so many different dishes with it.
Simple and delicious samo rice prefect for fasting!
Loving the colourful and healthy upma…simple yet yummy!!
This looks delicious..it’s hard to make healthy dish yummy..but this is perfect ?
Lovely texture and absolutely healthy too…love it!
I am a crazy fan of upma, while my husband isn’t. Like a true palakkad Iyer, I love my upma with sakkarai and nei. Although it is not a good idea (sugar esp) to have everyday, I dont mind cheating few days when I really have the craving. I have turned to millets and mix it with dalia too at times and just add loads of veggies just like you have done and serve in place of rice along with a kadhi or dal. Honestly, dont miss the rice. Its filling and delicious. Why eat it only on fasts, when you can enjoy everyday or atleast twice a week.
Healthy and simple recipe..Best diet recipe too..
Love to use samo, this recipe looks easy and delicious.
I use sama only during fasting but never ever thought of making upma with it. Thanks for this wonderful idea and I will try it next time when I buy the rice.
I was just about to try a millet pulao, just then chanced upon this recipe. it came out brilliantly and kudos it is really yummy
Happy to hear you liked it! 🙂
wow you could prepare such a great pulao with sama rice. hats off dear. This navratri I tried and it was a mess sticky rice. Your came out so great., bookmarked.
Thank you 🙂
The pulao looks so flavorful and healthy. Lovely use of samo rice aruna 🙂
Such yummy upma. Love your simple presentation. Would love to eat with sambhar?
Again this seems Tobe too good we in upvas don’t use vegetables nor rai..instead patato
For variation few cashew or penuts, green chilly less spicy and one pototo small piece s get fried in little oil will keep side little salt sindhalu on it than will prepare samo as per your way and put dhaniya,fried peanut pototo, chilly on top..should I prepare or may suggest
Good Evening,
This is a general recipe with millets and not specifically one for fasting. Your recipe works well for days of fasting.