What is Poha?
Poha is a popular Indian meal made from flattened rice that is very easy to digest. The word ‘poha’ bears two meanings, one it means the flattened rice itself, and a popular dish made with poha. Though it originated in Maharashtra, it has become a hit throughout India in a variety of regional varieties.
Preparation of poha is also very easy with only a handful of ingredients flattened rice, curry leaves, onions, salt, green chilies, and mustard seeds. You can or can not add the turmeric and lemon juice to the mixture after that. Poha is a satisfying, nutritious dish that is high in fiber, carbs, and vital vitamins. It has a good balance as well. It’s a great choice for a quick and filling breakfast.
We hope you’re feeling interested to know some easy and crazy poha recipes! Then here it comes!
Poha recipe: Step-by-step Guide
Making poha or kanda poha is super with following some steps. Here is what you have to do:
The ingredients that you will need
Prep Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 15 min
Total Time: 25 min
- 1 ½ cups poha (flattened rice)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- Dry peanuts
- 1 green chili, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 8-10 curry leaves
- 1 small potato, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 small tomato, finely chopper (optional)
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts
- Fresh coriander leaves, chopped, for garnish
- Sev, for garnish
The making process
- Take 1 ½ cups of poha and rinse it under running water in a strainer. Drain the excess water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it softens. Make sure it doesn’t get soggy. For that, you can use thick poha. It is good for cooking purposes.
2. First, pan-fry the peanuts. Here you can use market-ready roasted peanuts as well
3. Now chop the potatoes and other veggies (if you use).
4. Here you can chop tomatoes as well
5. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan on medium heat
6. Add the chopped potatoes to it and saute. It will turn golden brown and crispy.
7. Remove them from the pan and keep them aside.
8. In the same pan, add mustard seeds. When it starts to sputter, add the cumin seeds.
9. Add chopped tomatoes, green chilies, and curry leaves. Saute it well until the tomatoes turn soft and translucent
10. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder and mix well
11. Add the poha to the pan, along with salt to taste
12. Stir gently to combine everything without mashing the poha
13. Add the cooked potatoes and mix lightly
14. You can also add lemon juice if you want a sour taste.
15. Your poha is ready
16. Garnish it with fresh coriander leaves and sev. Serve it hot
Tips to Make Perfect Healthy Fluffy Poha
Making poha is easy but making it perfectly fluffy can be a bit tricky. That’s why we brought together some pro tips for you:
- Choose the right poha. For making poha recipes, go with thick or medium-thick poha. Thin poha can be a little mushy.
- Rinse it thoroughly with a gentle press. Try everything in one go. Don’t soak it in water. You can use a strainer and let the poha air dry.
- Cut the potatoes into smaller dice so that they cook quickly.
- You can dry roast or ghee-fry the peanuts and keep them aside for a crunchier taste.
- In case your poha looks dry, keep sprinkling water until it looks soft and fluffy.
- In the case of sweet poha, add a pinch of salt. It will help to balance the taste.
Poha Calories: 1 Plate Poha Calories
The number of calories in one plate poha depends on the size and content of the plate.
On average, a 100-gram of poha contains 136 calories.
Is Poha good for weight loss?
Yes, Poha turns out to be an effective weight loss food option. A light, low-calorie dish made with poha or flattened rice can help you regulate your appetite.
The good part of poha is, this food can keep you fuller for a longer time. Poha is a very nutrient-dense breakfast or snack choice. Also, it contains high fiber and contains many other nutrients, including carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
You can add different veggies, peanuts, and spices to increase its fiber and protein content. Poha’s low glycemic index contributes to blood sugar regulation and that helps you to healthy weight management.
