Poha - An Easy Fast Food

Poha/Flattened rice/beaten rice is a variety of rice which is dehusked and flattened into flat light dry flakes. This variety of raw rice is easily digestible. This flattened or beaten rice is used in making some flavourful recipes, popular among those is Poha - a light, easy and fast snack. Poha is the Hindi name for flattened or beaten rice. I learnt to make this simple and savoury recipe of poha from my dad. Ha you read it right from my dad. Some years back when my dad was was posted in 'orange city' of India, Nagpur which is largest city in central Asia and also geographical center of India he got this delectable oppurtunity to taste some flavourful recipes of that place. My dad used to say, people of Nagpur will have poha, jalebi and a glass of warm milk in breakfast. Hmm that's an awesome way to begin the day isn't it? He got very much addicted to that breakfast and he misses it back home. So on one fine day on full demand from my mom, me and my sis, the master chef wrapping the kitchen apron entered the kitchen to prepare this awesome poha. It was so simple and with handy ingredients it took less than 10 minutes to prepare. It was a delectable treat to all of us, as it is fast to cook, good to eat. Over the times this recipe is lost somewhere in my kitchen, but when some days back when Valarmathi made Aval Upma, I remembered how fun filled days where those....when we (me, dad and sis) use to cook together and make mess of kitchen to give big suprise to my mom. She used to be really surprised by seeing the kitchen and with a sweet smile use to say thank you so much but please don't give me this type of surprises (HEHEHE). And we all use to help her again in arranging the things. Hmm so fun....

Coming to the recipe, flattened/beaten rice are easily available in any grocery store. With readily available ingredients at kitchen shelf you can make a jiffy breakfast or snack with this beaten rice. Freshly squeezed lime or fresh grated coconut enhances the flavour of this toothsome recipe. Go try and indulge!

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups Beaten rice flakes
• 1/2 cup cubed mixed Vegetables (potatoes, carrots and green peas)
• 1 Onion, peeled and sliced
• 1 Green chilli, deseeded and chopped
• 2 tbsp Pea nuts
• 1 tbsp Red chilli powder
• 1/4 tbsp Turmeric powder
• 1/2 tbsp Mustard seeds
• 1/2 tbsp Jeera seeds
• 1 dry Red chilli
• 6-9 Curry leaves
• 1 tbsp fresh Lemon juice
• Salt
• Oil

PREPERATION:

• Boil mixed vegetables till soft and tender. Drain the water and set aside.
• Rinse beaten rice by placing in a colander, drain excess water and leave it to dry.
• Heat oil in a heavy bottom cooking vessel, to this add mustard seeds, jeera seeds, curry leaves and dry red chilli. When the curry leaves start to change color add pea nuts and fry for a while.
• Now add onion slices and chopped green chill and sauté till onions turn translucent.
• Now add boiled mixed vegetables, salt and turmeric powder. Cook for another 2-3 minutes. When all the ingredients are mixed together add rice flakes, mix well and cook for another 2-3 minutes on a low flame by covering with a lid.
• Turn off the flame, add fresh lime juice and mix gently. Serve hot with sev and lemon wedges. (You can also add some fresh grated coconut on top).
• Last but not least add your 'love' to make the dish 'YUMMY'.

This poha is going to participate in Monthly Mingle #33 -Ravishing Rice Recipes hosted by Nags of Edible Garden, event by Meeta of What's For Lunch Honey?.