Poha recipe | How to make poha

Poha recipe – Poha or pohe is a quick breakfast or snack made of beaten rice or flattened rice. It is not only popular in Maharashtraian and Gujarati cuisines but also in many other regions of India. Poha is prepared in a similar way in most regions. This post will teach you how to make poha in minutes. It can be eaten not only as a breakfast but also for a snack or quick dinner. It can also be taken to school or work in lunch box.

Poha is usually eaten alone but it can also be served with some plain curd or yogurt. It is a kids’ friendly recipe and can also be packed in the school box or eaten after school.

I often use potatoes in my poha recipe as my kids love it that way.

In Maharashtraian cuisine, kanda poha & batata poha are most commonly made. Kanda translates to onion and batata to Potato. If both of them are used then it is called kanda batata poha which I have shown in this post.

To make poha, you can also skip potatoes or just replace them with some green peas. You can either use boiled/ steamed potatoes or use them raw directly and cook in the pan itself.

I have followed the later method. But if you have trouble cooking your potatoes quickly, then it is good to use them boiled.

More Breakfast recipes,
Upma recipe
Rava idli
Semiya upma
Akki roti

Poha recipe

Poha recipe

Poha recipe – Poha is a simple Indian breakfast made with flattened rice & spices. Also known as pohe this is also eaten for a snack. This recipe will help you to make perfect poha with in minutes.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time10 minutes

Total Time20 minutes

Servings2

AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )

Ingredients for poha recipe

• 1 ½ cups poha (or parched rice or beaten rice flakes )(thick to medium flakes)
• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 1 to 2 green chilies slit or chopped
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 medium potato (optional) medium, cubed to small size (½ cup)
• 1 ½ tbsp oil
• 3 to 4 tbsp peanuts or cashews
• ¾ tsp mustard or rai
• ¾ tsp cumin or jeera
• ¼ tsp turmeric or haldi
• Salt as needed
• ½ to 1 tsp sugar (optional)
• Lemon juice as needed
• 2 tbsp coriander leaves chopped

How to make the recipe

Preparation for poha recipe

• To make poha, choose medium to thick flakes. Add them to a bowl or strainer or colander.
• Rinse quickly with water. Drain the water completely.
• Set aside to soften. Meanwhile prepare the veggies.
• When the poha turns soft, add some sugar and salt.
• Run your fingers through the poha to break the lumps & spread salt.

How to make poha

• Heat a pan and add peanuts.
• Dry roast them until golden & aromatic. Remove to a plate and set aside.
• Pour oil to the same pan and add cumin and jeera.
• When they begin to pop, add hing, onions, curry leaves and green chilies.
• Saute until the onions turn lightly pink.
• Optional – Add cubed potatoes and saute for a min. Cover and cook on a low heat until soft and cooked completely. If needed can sprinkle some water and cook. Once done, saute for another minute.
• Add turmeric and poha. Mix well and cover the pan. 
• Cook on a very low heat until the poha turns hot.
• Next add coriander leaves and switch off.
• Adjust salt & Sprinkle lemon juice. Mix poha well. 
• Garnish poha with roasted peanuts and coriander leaves.

NUTRITION

Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 39mg | Potassium: 600mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 145IU | Vitamin C: 46.4mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 8.3mg

Notes

Notes on poha recipe

Always choose thick to medium variety poha. Thin poha is not suitable to make this recipe as they turn mushy when rinsed.
If you are running short of time, just skip potatoes.
You can also use boiled potatoes.

You can also add 1 chopped tomato instead of potato and fry until the tomato turns mushy and soft.

Preparation for poha recipe

1. Clean poha and add them to a large colander, strainer or bowl or pot. Please note that to make non sticky poha, you will need to use thick or medium flakes. If you use thin flakes then the poha will turn mushy.

2. Rinse them well a few times. Drain the water completely and set aside. I usually rinse them twice but if you feel they turn too mushy after the first rinse then stop rinsing further.

3. Meanwhile chop onions, green chilies and potatoes. Poha would have absorbed water and softened in about 5 to 7 mins. Run your finger across the flattened rice to break lumps if any.

If they do not turn soft, then sprinkle some water and set aside. Make sure they do not turn mushy. Add salt and sugar (optional). Mix and set aside.

How to make poha

4. Add peanuts to a pan and fry until golden and crunchy. Set them aside. This way the peanuts remain crunchy.

4. Heat the same pan with oil and allow the mustard and cumin to crackle.

6. Add chopped onions, green chilies and curry leaves.

7. Saute until the onions turn pink.

Optionally add potatoes and saute for a min.

8. Cover and cook on a low heat until the potatoes are soft cooked. If you have used boiled potatoes, you can skip this step.

10. Once the potatoes are cooked thoroughly, you can saute them on a high flame for 1 to 2 mins. Add turmeric.

11. Add poha and mix well.

12. Cover and cook on a low heat until it becomes hot. Stir in between to prevent burning. Sprinkle coriander leaves and roasted peanuts.

13. Switch off. Add lemon juice and keep it covered until served.

Serve kanda batata poha with coriander leaves and roasted peanuts garnished.