Rava Upma Arancini

Ingredients

• For Rava/ Sooji/ Semolina Upma:
• 3/4 cup Rava roasted
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp ghee
• 1 medium onion chopped finely
• 1/2 tsp ginger finely chopped
• 1 small tomato deseeded and chopped finely
• 1 medium carrot cut into small cubes
• 1/2 capsicum chopped into small pieces
• 2 tbsp frozen sweet corn kernels
• 1 tbsp green peas
• 1 tbsp each of peanuts and cashewnuts
• 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp Split Urad Dal
• 1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing)
• 8-10 curry leaves
• 1 tsp Mixed Herbs
• As needed salt
• 1.5 cups water
• For the Cheese Balls:
• 3 processed cheese cubes grated
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 bowl breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup oil for deep frying

Steps

1. Heat ghee in a wok and lightly roast rava for 2 minutes. Set aside.In a separate pan, heat oil and saute peanuts till aromatic. Add cashewnuts and saute till golden brown.Set aside
2. Heat the remaining oil and add mustard seeds. Once they splutter, add urad dal and saute till golden brown. Add in ginger and saute.Now add the chopped onions. Saute till translucent. Now add chopped carrot, Saute and add chopped tomato,peanuts,cashewnuts, green peas and sweet corn.Sprinkle 1/4 tsp salt and mix well. Cook till the vegetables are partially soft.Add fried curry leaves, chopped green chillies and mixed herbs.
3. Add water and salt to taste.Bring it to a rolling boil.Now add rava.Once rava is added, stir continuously till all water is soaked up.Sprinkle coriander leaves and toss to mix well.
4. Switch off gas, close with a lid and let it rest for 5 minutes. Cool completely and transfer to a plate.Add 1 tbsp cornstarch and mix well to make a soft dough.
5. Pinch a tablespoon from the dough. Roll in between your palms and shape it into a cup and stuff with grated cheese or a small cheese cube in the centre.Shape it into a ball.
6. Make a slurry of cornstarch.Dip in this slurry and roll in breadcrumbs.
7. Heat oil in a wok and deep fry till golden brown on all sides.Optionally it can be cooked in an appe pan. Serve hot as an appetizer with a cup of evening tea or at parties.