I start off the New Year with one of my favorite and super easy recipe that you can make it in 5 minutes. Yes, you read it right, just 5 minutes…provided you have all the ingredients ready. I made this light breakfast yesterday after a night of wine and dine on 31st December. If you are wondering how this dish is cooked so fast then watch me cook – video on YouTube.
Poha is a common breakfast item in most parts of India. The preparation might be different depending on the region and taste but the Maharashtrian version I am sharing with you is quite regular in my home.
Poha is uncooked rice that has been flattened into flakes, like rolled oats. It is available in varied degrees of thickness. I am using medium thickness flakes, for this recipe as the thin kind become too mushy when rinsed under water, and thicker variety needs to be soaked a little longer. The uncooked flattened rice is called ‘poha’ and the cooked savory dish is also called ‘Poha’. It is not only rich in nutrients but also hearty and amazingly satisfied dish, when you are short on time for breakfast or lunch or dinner and also perfect for those unexpected guests who drop by your home for tea. You can even pack poha for a school lunch and take it to picnics. I don’t know what else to say other than this, that a recipe like this is great to have it in your repertoire. You will see many variations of this dish. Some add stir fried potatoes and vegetable, I personally like to keep it simple with mild spices and peanuts add a nice crunch to its otherwise soft texture. The addition of mango is optional but takes the dish to a whole new level.
So let’s get started!
Quick Notes:
Soak medium thick poha for 4-5 minutes or rinse under running water in a sieve. The idea is to remove impurities or dirt and let the poha absorb sufficient water but should not turn into a mush. Its a very quick dish and all the ingredients go one after the other. We like only peanuts and coconut in poha hence I did not use any vegetables but you can add peas, potatoes and chopped carrots for a great brunch.
POHA
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cup cheewra/ chivda
- 1/2 cup raw peanuts
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced onion
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1- 2 green chilli, chopped
- 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
- 3/4 cup diced haden mango
- few curry leaves (optional)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp oil
- few small pieces of dry coconut (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated carrot
- salt to taste
Method:
- Soak cheewra in water for a couple of minutes. Drain all the water, set poha aside.
- Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. Add mustard seeds and curry leaves (if using).
- After they start to pop add onion. Once they soften add peanuts and fry.
- Add coconut pieces. It doesn’t take long, everything gets fried with in 2 minutes.
- Add turmeric, lemon juice, salt and poha. Stir.
- Cook it for 3-4 minutes or until heated through, stirring gently.
- Add chopped green chilli, cilantro and grated carrot. Transfer to a serving dish.
- Garnish with chopped mango pieces and serve warm with tea.
Deepti
Its for sure the quickest breakfast I have made too and we love it anyday!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Quick, easy and delicious, what’s not to love this poha!
Blackswan
I’m learning each time I visit your site. Poha is new to me too. Quick & easy is just perfect for the working professionals & mothers. Good work!
Sawsan @chef in disguise
Poha is a totally new dish to me
I love all the spices and the ingredients in it. Such a bright breakfast
Balvinder
It surely is a bright breakfast which keeps you filled for longtime.
Alida
Wonderful colours in this dish! Your site is very neat and clean. I like it.
I wish you a wonderful 2013!
yummychunklet
The mango sounds delicious! Great dish!
Liz
Really interesting – now i need to go out and find some rice flakes. I’d like to try it with mustard seeds in it too.
Balvinder
Mustard seeds can also be added however I add it only to upma (semolina dish).
anne
Bal , your poha looks really really good ! The flavor – imagine all those spices you’ve added ! – must be amazing !
CJ at Food Stories
Never heard of Poha before but it looks great 🙂
Ansh | Spiceroots
Happy New Year !! What a great way to begin the new year. Healthful, delicious and soulful.
Soni
I just love Poha, but never used Mango!! It sounds absolutely delicious 🙂
Swathi
I love that your served poha with mango so yumm.
Ambreen
Happy New Year, Balvinder! This really sounds quick, lovely combination of flavors. Tempting!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies
This looks beautiful! Mango is one of my favorite ingredients to cook with. I love the tropical flavor and sweetness it adds to dishes.
Balvinder
It is one of my favorite ingredient, too. I often use it in my cooking.
Nami | Just One Cookbook
Beautiful color! I don’t think I’ve tried or heard of Poha before, but it looks delicious! The chopped mangoes will definitely attract my children! 🙂
Balvinder
Nami, You can give this to your children in bento box in place of rice. They will love it,
Amelia
Hi Balvinder, first time I see flat rice. Very interesting recipe but it sure look very appetizing. Nice color.
Take care,my dear. Have a great week ahead. With hugs to you.
Anitha Gowda
In karnataka also its prepared in almost the same way. We use grated coconut instead of dry and lemon (optional). Love mangoes in it
Balvinder
I use dry because I only need a small amount.
Gayathri kollengode
Is white poha and red poha gluten free? Are you 100 percent positive? I have severe gluten sensitivity and it would be great if poha is gluten free both white and red. Thanks
Balvinder
Hi Gayathri,
White and brown rice flakes are made from parboiled or steamed rice, then pressed and dried. White flakes are not labeled gluten free but I am sure they are not milled with other grains.
Just to clear your confusion check on this.
Google the book Basics of Clinical Nutrition by YK Joshi (2008)
Click on it and on left side there is a column ‘search’.
Type chirwa, click go. On page 306 you will find that chiwra can be safely eaten in celiac disease.
There’s another link that you can check.
http://www.slideshare.net/amol1713/celiac-diet-dr-vishnu-biradar
I am sure you already know that you should never buy gluten free products from open open sacks or bulk bins as they may get contaminated.