VEGETABLE POHA
Vegetable Poha is a version of the popular traditional Indian breakfast, lunchbox or snack food known as Bateta Poha. Instead of adding only potatoes to the flattened rice, I like to add mixed vegetables. This makes it more healthier and an excellent way to get more veggies in one's diet.
Ingredients
- 2 cups poha
- 1 cup potato peeled and diced
- 1 cup mixed vegetables
- ¼ cup onion diced
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 1 green chilli paste
- 2 tbsp fresh coriander chopped
- ¼ cup peanuts
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp oil
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- ¼ tsp asafoetida
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Put the poha in a sieve and wash it under running water. Leave it in the sieve so that water can drain out.
- Heat oil in a wide pan over medium heat.
- Stir fry the peanuts till they begin to crack.
- Remove them from the pan with a slotted spoon and keep on the side.
- Add mustard, cumin and sesame seeds.
- Add asafoetida and curry leaves.
- Immediately add chopped onion and stir fry till it becomes a bit soft.
- Add ginger and chillis and stir fry for just a few seconds.
- Add diced potato, mixed vegetables, half of the measured turmeric powder and half of salt from the measured amount.
- Mix well. Cover the pan and reduce the heat. Cook the vegetables till done. You may need to add 2-3 tbsp water if the veggies don't get cooked in 5 minutes.
- In the meantime, transfer the washed poha to a mixing bowl. They will be soft so handle with care.
- Add the remaining salt, turmeric powder and sugar.
- Mix very gentle using your fingers.
- Add poha to the cooked vegetables.
- Gently mix everything.
- Cover and let the mixture cook over low heat for 2 minutes.
- The poha should be done and should not be hard.
- Add lemon juice and coriander and mix well.
- Serve hot poha with a slice of lemon, your favourite chutney or with some yogurt.
Notes
- If you soak the poha in water it becomes mushy.
- You can prepare poha ahead and serve later. If you find that the mixture is too dry, sprinkle a bit of water, cover and heat the poha.
- Adjust the spices according to your taste.
- You can add cashew nuts instead of peanuts.
- If you like you can add more poha or increase the amount of vegetables.