Delicious and Nutritious Poha Recipe for a Quick Breakfast!
Poha, also known as flattened rice, is a popular breakfast dish in India. It is made by soaking and then stir-frying flattened rice with vegetables, herbs, and spices. Poha is an excellent source of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, making it a healthy and satisfying breakfast option. In this article, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of making Poha at home.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flattened rice flakes (poha)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 potato, diced
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1 green chilli, chopped
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Rinse the flattened rice flakes in a sieve under running water for 1-2 minutes until they soften. Drain the water and set it aside. Flattened rice is delicate and can turn mushy if over-soaked or over-stirred. So, be gentle while rinsing and stirring the flattened rice.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds and let them splutter. This step is crucial as it releases the flavours of the seeds and adds a nutty aroma to the dish.
- Add chopped onion, diced potato, and chopped green chilli to the pan and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions turn translucent and the potatoes are slightly cooked. You can add other vegetables like peas, carrots, or capsicum to the poha for added nutrition and flavour.
- Add chopped tomato to the pan and sauté for another 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes soften. Tomatoes add a tangy flavour and a bright colour to the dish.
- Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and salt to the pan and mix well. Turmeric gives a vibrant yellow colour to the dish and has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Add the rinsed flattened rice flakes to the pan and mix gently, making sure that the flakes are coated with the spice mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the poha is heated through. Stirring too much can break the flattened rice flakes and turn the dish into a mushy mess. So, be gentle and stir occasionally.
- Turn off the heat and garnish the poha with fresh coriander leaves and lemon wedges. Coriander leaves add a fresh and herbaceous flavour to the dish, while lemon wedges add a tangy kick.
- Serve hot with tea or coffee. Poha tastes great on its own, but it also goes well with a cup of chai or coffee.
