If you are looking for a minimal prepping, light, and easy vegan breakfast or snack, then poha is one of the healthiest and wholesome meals. It is made using chivda or beaten rice flakes (a common gluten–free staple ingredient in Indian kitchens), peanuts, and vegetables.
What You Will Need
- Flattened Rice: This is the main ingredient used in this recipe, also known as rice flakes.
- Oil: Used to cook poha. Prefer ghee or neutral-flavored oil.
- Peanuts: Add a crunchy texture to the dish.
- Mustard Seeds: Add flavor to the dish. They are commonly used in Indian cuisine.
- Curry Leaves: A herb used in Indian cuisine that adds flavor and aroma to the dish.
- Green Chili: Gives a spicy kick to the dish.
- Turmeric Powder: Adds color and flavor to the dish. It is a common spice used in Indian cuisine.
- Red Chilli & Black Pepper: Add a little bit to enhance the flavor and spiciness of the dish.
- Salt: Used to enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Sugar: Balances the savory flavor of the dish.
- Lemon Juice: Adds tanginess and gives a refreshing taste.
- Toppings – Onions, Pomegranate & Desiccated Coconut: Garnish the poha with a small amount of finely chopped onions, pomegranate, and grated dry coconut for more flavor and texture.
Helpful Tips
Following are some simple tips for how to make poha tasty:
- Prefer thick chivda for making poha because when you soak thick chivda in water the grains will not stick and the recipe will not turn out mushy.
- Thoroughly rinse the chivda in a strainer under cold running water and completely drain out the water. Then, keep it aside for 5-7 minutes to soften.
- If the poha seems dry after cooking, sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of water, cover the pan with a lid, and allow to steam well.
- Add sugar to balance the flavors.
- To make it healthier, you can add a variety of vegetables (finely chopped) such as green peas, capsicum, carrots, cabbage, and potatoes.
- Garnish with sev (a kind of savory snack made with chickpea flour), onions, pomegranate, coconut flakes, or coriander leaves, and serve with a cup of tea or mint or tamarind chutney.
- It tastes best when enjoyed immediately; tends to get dry as it cools down.
Commonly Asked Questions
What is poha, and where can I find it?
Poha is flattened rice commonly used in Indian cuisine. It can usually be found in Indian grocery stores or online.
Can I use regular rice instead of flattened rice in this recipe?
Regular rice cannot be used as a substitute for flattened rice in this recipe, as the texture and cooking time are different.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time and reheat it later?
Yes, this recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated later. But I would suggest serving immediately as poha tends to get dry as it cools down.
How do I know when the poha is fully cooked?
The poha is fully cooked when it becomes soft and fluffy. You can test it by pressing a grain between your fingers – it should break easily.
More Healthy Breakfast And Snack Recipes
Potato Masala Veg Grilled Sandwich
Methi Paratha (Fenugreek Paratha)
Crunchy Masala Roasted Chickpeas
Did you make Poha? I’d love to know how it turned out for you! Please leave a rating and a comment below to share your experience. Thank you so much! 💚
Recipe
Poha (Flattened Rice)
Healthy, savory, and light traditional western Indian dish made using beaten rice flakes and veggies.
Ingredients
- 3 cups thick to medium poha (flattened rice flakes)
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil or ghee
- ½ cup raw peanuts
- ½ Tbsp mustard seeds
- 10-12 curry leaves
- 1 medium green chilli, finely chopped
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ⅛ tsp red chilli powder
- ⅛ tsp black pepper powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
For Garnishing
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 - 4 Tbsp pomegranate
- 2 - 3 Tbsp grated dry coconut (can also use fresh coconut)
Instructions
- Take medium to thick rice flakes or poha and rinse at least twice using a strainer.
- Drain the water completely and keep the rinsed poha aside for 5-7 minutes, not more than that otherwise poha will turn mushy and won’t taste good.
- Add oil to a pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add peanuts and sauté for a minute or two until they turn slightly brown and fragrant.
- Transfer the peanuts to a bowl and set aside.
- To the same pan with oil, add mustard seeds and let them pop, then add curry leaves and green chilli and sauté for a minute or two.
Add turmeric, red chilli powder, black pepper powder, rinsed poha, salt, sugar, and roasted peanuts. Mix well, cover the pan, and cook for about 2-3 minutes. - Turn off the heat when the poha has softened. If the poha feels dry then sprinkle some water and cover the pan and cook for 1-2 mins.
Squeeze in some fresh lemon juice. Garnish the poha with onions, pomegranate, and coconut. - Serve fresh, and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1Amount Per ServingCalories 394Total Fat 22gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 15gCholesterol 8mgSodium 615mgCarbohydrates 43gFiber 4gSugar 11gProtein 8g
The nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like a specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.
