POHA

                                                

A popular Maharashtrian dish, it is a light and easy-to-digest breakfast item. It is a favorite quick snack when guests turn up unexpectedly.

Cooking time - 15-20 minutes

Serves 4 

  

Ingredients -

Poha (beaten rice) (thick variety) – 3 cups

Onion – 2 medium – chopped fine

Green chillies – 2-3 – chopped fine

Potato – 1 small potato – cut in small pieces

Shelled peas – 1-2 tbsp

Firm tomato (optional) – 1 – chopped fine.

Oil – 4 - 5 tbsp

Mustard seeds – 1 tsp

Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

Asafetida – a pinch

Roasted groundnuts – 1 tbsp

Turmeric powder – ½ tsp

Salt to taste

Curry leaves – 8

Fresh coriander leaves (chopped fine) – 2 tbsp

Grated coconut – 1 tbsp

Farsan (optional) – 3 - 4 tbsp

Lemon – 1 – cut into pieces

Method

Wash the poha gently and leave in a colander for 15-20 minutes.

Meanwhile, chop the onions, and green chillies.

Heat oil in a kadhai. Add mustard and cumin seeds. When they start spluttering, add asafetida and onions. After 2 minutes add the green chillies and keep frying till the onions turn light brown.

Add the chopped potato and fry for a minute.

Add the peas and fry for another minute.

Add turmeric powder and a little salt – enough for the vegetables – and stir.

Cook covered on low heat till vegetables are soft.

If you are using tomato, add the chopped tomato and stir well.

Add ½ tsp of sugar and curry leaves. Add the roasted groundnuts. Fry for 2-3 minutes on low heat.

Smear required salt onto the poha in the colander and gently mix a bit and add to the vegetable-mix on the stove.

Stir well gently till everything gets mixed well. Turn off the heat.

Transfer to a casserole.

Serve hot with a slice of lemon and toppings of ‘farsan’.
                                                 

© Copyright 2011. Brinda Balasubramonian..