Prepare the vegetables - chop mixed vegetables, onions, grate ginger and slit the green chillies.
In a pot, keep 1.5 cups water to boil.
Place a 2 litre pressure cooker on medium flame. Add the oil and saute mustard, urad, chana dal till golden brown.
Add ginger, onions, curry leaves, vegetables and saute for a minute.
Add rava, cashews and saute until the cashews turn brown. This indicates the rava is roasted too.
Add 1-2 tbsp saaru podi, salt to taste and stir well to combine. This whole process takes about 5 minutes so far.
Once the water has come to a boil, add it to the pressure cooker and close with the whistle/weight on it.
Turn off the flame and keep the cooker closed off the flame ( yes, you read that right).
Open after 20 minutes for a delicious, fluffy upma! Use a fork to lightly fluff the upma
Add coriander leaves, a sprinkle of fresh coconut and a little lemon juice (optional) for garnish.