Poha-An Original Indian Breakfast Dish

POHA/FLATTENED RICE FLAKES
Traditionally, a Central Indian dish, Poha is extremely popular in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi.  Poha as a dish is continuously evolving and becoming more flavourful.  The dish looks equally inviting in its many avatars. Its popularly eaten for breakfast or as an evening snack. 

Preparation Time: 10 mins
Cooking Time: 15 mins
Serves: 1
Basic Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cups of beaten/flattened rice flakes/poha
  • ¼ cup chopped carrots
  • ½ cup boiled peas
  • 2 chopped green chillies
  • 1/2 onion chopped
  • 6-7 curry leaves/kadi patta
  • Juice of 1/2 -1 lemon
  • ½ tsp mustard seeds/rai
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder/haldi
  • 2 tbsp of roasted peanuts (optional)
  • Salt to taste

Method
  1. Wash the beaten rice thoroughly in a strainer and keep aside.
  2. Heat oil in a pan.
  3. Add mustard seeds, followed by the green chillies and curry leaves. Sauté for 30 seconds.
  4. Now add the chopped onions and sauté for 3 minutes. Put ½ a tsp of salt at this stage and keep stirring till slightly golden brown.
  5. Then add the chopped carrots and continue to cook for 3 minutes. Add the boiled peas and continue to cook for another 3 minutes.
  6. Add the turmeric powder and stir. Now put in the washed rice flakes and a teaspoon of salt. Stir well to mix everything. Sprinkle some water in, not more than 2-3 teaspoons and cover the pan for 2 minutes on low heat.
  7. Open the lid and squeeze the juice of a lemon into the dish and add the roasted peanuts.
  8. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.





Jovi’s notes
There are various types of flattened/beaten rice flakes available in the market (thin, medium, thick). I use the medium one. If you buy the thin one, the rice flakes will end up sticking to each other.
A lot of people serve this dish with accompaniments like chopped onions and Indian sev or bhujia (casse-croute indiens). Haldirams is a popular brand of Indian snacks that is available worldwide. One can sprinkle aloo bhujia on the poha for a crispy tangy flavour.

If you don't have an Indian store close to you, you can buy flattened rice on Amazon UK. 

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