🇮🇳 Indian Cuisine · Breakfast

Uttapam

Prep

10 mins

Cook

15 mins

Serves

4

Difficulty

Easy

Thick, fluffy rice and lentil pancakes topped with onions, tomatoes, and green chilies cooked on a griddle.

Ingredients

  • 500g chicken thighs
  • 300g roti
  • 2 tsp crushed green cardamom pods
  • 2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/4 cup neutral vegetable oil
  • a generous handful of potatoes
  • a handful of fresh curry leaves, chopped
  • plain yogurt, for serving
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 1/2 tsp mustard seeds

Instructions

  1. 1

    Gather and prep the semolina and red lentils, measuring everything out so it is ready to go.

  2. 2

    Heat ghee in a non-stick pan over medium heat until warm but not smoking.

  3. 3

    Add the curry leaves and green chilies, cooking gently until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

  4. 4

    Stir in the red lentils, season with mustard seeds, and cook until just done, about 15 mins.

  5. 5

    Warm the semolina alongside, turning once, until heated through and lightly toasted.

  6. 6

    Plate the semolina and spoon the cooked mixture over the top.

  7. 7

    Drizzle with ghee and finish with a sprinkle of mint.

  8. 8

    Serve immediately while everything is warm.

Tips

Make a double batch — leftovers reheat beautifully for a quick weekday breakfast.

Prep the semolina and red lentils the night before to make busy mornings much easier.

Keep the heat moderate so the red lentils cooks through gently without drying out or turning rubbery.