No Fuss, Flavourful Poha

Rhianna Nambiar
Oct 6
2 min read

PREP TIME: 10 MINS COOK TIME: 15 MINS TOTAL TIME: 25 MINS

Poha

Busy mornings don’t have to mean boring breakfasts. Vegetable Poha, an Indian breakfast dish, is a quick and flavorful dish. It is light, satisfying, and still has that comforting, home-cooked feel, perfect for when you feel homesick.

How To Make Poha

Start by rinsing the poha under cold water and letting it sit for a few minutes to soften. In a pan, warm a little oil and add mustard seeds until they begin to pop, then toss in the rest of your aromatics: onions and curry leaves, cooking until fragrant and slightly tender. Stir in turmeric, salt, and a pinch of sugar if you want to add a hint of sweetness. Gently fold in the softened poha and let it cook through, and soak up all the flavors. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of fresh coriander for brightness.

This dish is light yet filling, perfect for busy mornings or as a quick snack. You can prepare it ahead of time and store it in the fridge, and reheat it in the microwave before eating. Feel free to customize it by adding in diced potatoes, peanuts, seasonal vegetables, or even a little chilli for extra spice.

Recipe

Ingredients (Makes 1-2 servings)

1 cup poha (flattened rice)
1 onion, finely chopped
½ tsp mustard seeds
¼ tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp oil
1 tsp lemon juice
Salt to taste
Fresh coriander/cilantro (garnish)
5–6 curry leaves (optional)
½ tsp sugar (optional)

Instructions

Place the flattened rice in a sieve, rinse under cold water, and let it sit for 5 minutes to soften
Finely chop onions
In a hot pan, add oil and mustard seeds, and heat them until they pop
Toss in the chopped onion and curry leaves, and sauté until the onions turn soft
Stir in the spices: turmeric, salt, and sugar, and mix well
Gently fold in the softened poha and cook for 2–3 minutes
Take it off the heat and garnish with lemon juice and coriander