Kanda Poha (Flattened Rice Pulao / Pilaf - Maharashtrian Breakfast Recipe)

 

            Poha is a traditional Maharashtrian breakfast, very common in almost every household. Very light and nutritious, it can be relished as an evening tea-time snack or as a lunch box meal. It tastes awesome with a drizzle of some pickle oil or green chutney as an accompaniment.

          It is also a very easy and a quick recipe. For a more healthier version, red poha or brown poha are recommended. So check out this easy and simple step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this regional dish.

• 2 cups brown / white poha, washed and drained
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida 
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp. roasted peanuts
• 1 tbsp. lime juice
• 2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

              Heat oil in a pan and temper with mustard seeds, cumin seeds and asafoetida.  After it stops spluttering, add the onion, ginger, green chilies, curry leaves, salt and turmeric powder. Sauté till the onions turns light brown.

             Now add the poha and roasted peanuts. Sprinkle some water and sauté for 2-3  minutes on a low to medium flame. 

             When done, add chopped coriander leaves and lime juice. Give it a toss and serve as a wholesome and a healthy breakfast.

                                  Washed & drained poha.

                   Heat oil & temper with mustard seeds, cumin seeds & asafoetida. 

                            Then add onion, ginger, green chilies, curry leaves, salt 

                           turmeric powder. Sauté till the onions turns light brown.

                     Now add the poha &roasted peanuts. Sprinkle some water &

                     sauté for 2-3  minutes on a low to medium flame. 

                       When done, add coriander leaves & lime juice. Give it a toss.

                               Serve as a wholesome and a healthy breakfast.

Veg. Pulao

        Veg. Pulao is a one pot comfort meal with the goodness of some mixed veggies. Just some raita, any side dish (opt) and papad is all that need to enjoy this yummy dish. It is a very easy and a quick recipe when you are in no mood to dish out a full course meal. It is a great satisfying delicacy that can be had for brunch, lunch or as a lunch box meal too. 

          A great substitute for plain steamed rice or jeera rice, it is mildly flavoured with whole garam masala (including mace and nutmeg) along with some homemade garam masala powder and some chopped coriander-mint leaves.

          I have added some chopped nuts and fried onions too, for some crunch. It is purely optional. So do give it a try when you want a simple no-fuss meal and enjoy with your loved ones. 

• 1 cup Basmati rice, soaked for 30 minutes and drained
• 1 & 1/2 cups hot water
• 1 cup mixed veggies, chopped (beans, cauliflower, peas, carrots)
• 2-3 tbsp. ghee
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds 
• 2 bay leaves
• 2-3 green cardamoms 
• 1" cinnamon stick 
• 4-5 cloves
• 1/2 mace
• pinch of nutmeg powder
• salt to taste 
• 1 tsp. garam masala powder
• handful of coriander-mint leaves, chopped
• 1-2 green chilies, slit
• 1 tbsp. chopped almonds & pistachios
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves
• 1 tbsp. fried onions (opt)

          Heat ghee in a pan and temper with cumin seeds, bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves and mace. Sauté for a few seconds. 

          Add the chopped veggies and all the dry spices. Sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the drained rice and mint-coriander leaves. Continue to stir fry for 2 more minutes.

         Add water and green chilies. Pressure cook for 2 whistles. Switch off the flame and allow it to rest for awhile before opening the lid of the cooker. 

          Garnish with chopped nuts, fried onion and coriander leaves. Serve it hot with raita and some side dish.

Poha Pulao (Flattened Rice Pilaf)

     

       
                  

          Poha is a traditional Maharashtrian breakfast, very common in almost every household. Very light and nutritious, it can be relished as an evening tea-time snack or as a lunch box meal. It tastes awesome with some green chutney as an accompaniment. It is also a very easy and a quick recipe. For a more healthier version, red poha or brown poha are recommended.

• 1 cup poha, washed well and drained
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 potato, cut into small cubes
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
• pinch of asafoetida (hing)
• few curry leaves
• 2 tbsp. roasted peanuts
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1 tbsp. lime juice
• coriander leaves to garnish

          Heat 1 tbsp. oil in  a pan and sauté the cubed potatoes till light brown. Keep aside. Add the remaining oil and temper with cumin seeds and bay leaves. 

          After it stops spluttering, add the ginger and asafoetida and sauté for a few seconds.

          Then add the onion, curry leaves and green chilies and fry till translucent. Add the peas and turmeric powder and sauté for a few seconds.

          Now add the poha, salt, fried potatoes, garam masala powder and peanuts and continue to fry for 2-3 minutes on low flame. 

          When done, add the lime juice. Mix well and serve, garnished with coriander leaves.