Poha is a very interesting dish. Its high in carbohydrates and can be made into a vitamin powerhouse of a dish to start your day. Growing up its a dish that I enjoyed a lot. While it was not my absolute favourite but it was definitely in the top 5.
The dish is versatile in the sense it can be a good way to ensure veggies get included in our diets. I tend to use a lot of veggies to make it a healthy fibre laden dish. Another thing i like doing is to use a lot of peanuts. They tend to add that extra texture as well as add a little crunch to the dish. Poha without crunch can feel pretty clammy in the mouth. Especially once it cools.
I prefer to garnish my poha with coriander leaves. You can also use mint leaves, cilantro, fresh pomegranate, sev or grated coconut. It depends on which part of India you are from. Thats right this dish can be made in a variety of ways. Each culture and sometimes even individuals give this dish their own twist. So in a way you could say this is mine!
I use fennel seeds ( saunf) instead of mustard seeds. Adds a very different flavour.
Total Time: 20minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients
1.5 cups poha.
1/4 cup chopped beans
1 small tomato
1 potato chopped and shallow fried.
1.5 tsp raw peanuts
1 onion chopped
1 green chilli, chopped
1/4 tsp turmeric
1 tsp salt / To taste
2 tsp oil
1 tsp fennel seeds
1/4 tsp sugar
1 tsp chopped coriander for garnishing
1/2 lemon
The Recipe
To a strainer, add flattened rice (poha). Rinse it under running water until it turns soft.
Add turmeric and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the poha and toss to combine. Set aside.
Prepare the potato by gently shallow frying them.
Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the fennel seeds and let them pop.
Then add the chopped onion and green chilli. Cook for 2 minutes until the onions soften.
Then add the peanuts and sauté for a minute or two until they start turning brown.
Add the green peas . Cook until the raw smell goes away.
Add the tomato.
Add in the poha and mix well.
If it feels dry you can sprinkle some water and mix.
Add salt to taste.
Add the sugar.
And then cover the pan with a lid and turn heat to low. Cook for a couple of minutes and turn off the flame. Let it be for a minute or so.
Squeeze in some fresh lemon juice. Garnish poha with coriander.
There your piping hot breakfast is ready. This is a very easy to do tasty and healthy breakfast. It can also work as a good snack. And for those with a business mind it s a great idea for exotic street food, especially outside of Asia 😉
This is usually the go to breakfast in our household especially if one is running short of time. Which of course is not the case these days.
I hope you enjoy this dish as much as I enjoyed making it. If you wish to know anything about Indian dishes do reach out via the comments section. I will try my best to share with you.
