recipe – Vegetable Poha
Prep time: 10-15 minutes
Cooking time: 15-20 minutes
Serves: 4-5 people
Ingredients:
Soaking & Veggies Prep
POHA 3 CUPS
ONION 1 MEDIUM SIZED.
POTATO 1 MEDIUM SIZED.
FRENCH BEANS A HANDFUL
CAPSICUM 1/2 NO.
CARROT 1/2 NO.
GREEN PEAS 1/3 CUP
Tempering & cooking
OIL 2 TBSP
CUMIN SEEDS 1/2 TSP
MUSTARD SEEDS 1/2 TSP
CURRY LEAVES | Curry leaves 15 NOS.
GREEN CHILLI | Green chilli 3 NOS. (DICED)
PEANUTS | Peanuts 1/4 CUP (OPTIONAL)
WATER | Water A SPLASH
SALT | Salt TO TASTE
TURMERIC POWDER | Turmeric powder 1/2 TSP
LEMON JUICE | Lemon juice OF 1 LEMON
SUGAR | Sugar 1 TSP
FRESH CORIANDER | Green coriander A HANDFUL (CHOPPED)
SALT | Salt IF REQUIRED
SUGAR | Sugar IF REQUIRED
HOT WATER | Hot water A SPLASH
FRESH CORIANDER | Green coriander A HANDFUL (CHOPPED)
Method:
While making poha, always make sure that you get the thick variety of poha, Jada Poha. The other variety is thin which is used to make chivda.
Place a large sieve on a bowl, add the poha along with water & gently rinse the poha in the water to get rid of the excess starch. Lift the sieve up & let all the excess water drain out, place the sieve with the poha on to an empty bowl or a plate & let it rest for 10-15 minutes or until you prepare the veggies.
Cut all the veggies into small dice & chop the onion. Keep the onion in a separate bowl, potato in a separate bowl & you can mix all the other veggies in a common bowl or a plate.
Once the poha has rested, gently mix it using your hand to fluff it up, this is the perfect way to soak the poha, you’ll see that they won’t turn out sticky or clumpy.
Set a kadhai over high flame, once it gets hot, add the oil & heat it well.
Further add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, green chill, curry leaves & peanuts, mix well & cook over low flame briefly & then add the potatoes.
Cook the potatoes over high flame until they are half cooked, make sure you half cook the potatoes before adding the onions, if you add potatoes & onion together then the onions will get overcooked.
Once the potatoes are half done, add in the chopped onion, stir well & cook until the onion turns almost light golden brown over high flame.
Next, add all the prepared veggies, stir well & cook over high flame for 1-2 minutes, then add a splash of hot water, cover & cook over low flame for 3-4 minutes until the carrots & the beans get cooked.
Once the veggies get cooked, remove the lid, lower the flame at this stage & add salt & turmeric powder, mix well & add the soaked poha along with lemon juice, sugar & fresh coriander, stir everything very gently, then you can taste & adjust salt & sugar as per your taste preference.
Further add a splash of hot water over the poha & cover with a lid, switch off the flame & let the poha rest for 3-4 minutes, following this step will ensure that the poha turns out to be very moist & fluffy due to the steam.
Remove the lid after 3-4 minutes & sprinkle some freshly chopped coriander & your delicious & healthy vegetable poha is ready. I like to add some sev & fresh pomegranate while serving.