Have a Peppery Porridge

South Indians dote on a wheat porridge that is nothing like ordinary hot breakfast cereals. Upma , which is eaten at any time of day, contains nuts, vegetables and spices. It’s always on the menu at South Indian vegetarian restaurants, including Woodlands in Little India. Woodlands’ upma contains green peas, cashews, black mustard seeds and curry leaves. It seems like bland comfort food--until you taste the accompanying coconut chutney, which contains a good jolt of hot green chile.

Upma and coconut chutney, $5.25 at Woodlands restaurant, 11833 Artesia Blvd. (at Pioneer Boulevard), Artesia, (562) 860-6500.