Poha (Indian Spiced Flattened Rice Breakfast with Peanuts)
Poha is a staple Indian breakfast built on flattened rice that has been briefly soaked in water until pliable. The cooking starts with a tempering of mustard seeds and curry leaves in oil, followed by sliced onion, green chili, and turmeric. The soaked flattened rice is folded in gently so the grains stay separate rather than clumping. Turmeric stains everything a warm yellow. Roasted peanuts tossed in at the end provide a crunchy counterpoint to the soft rice, and a generous squeeze of lemon brightens the entire dish. The city of Indore is famous for its poha, where vendors garnish each plate with freshly grated coconut and a handful of sev, a crispy chickpea-flour noodle snack. The dish comes together in under fifteen minutes and sits comfortably in the stomach all morning.
Adjust Servings
Instructions
- 1
Rinse poha quickly in a sieve and rest 5 minutes to soften.
- 2
Heat oil in a pan and crackle mustard seeds.
- 3
Saute onion and chili until onion turns translucent.
- 4
Add turmeric, then fold in softened poha gently.
- 5
Add peanuts and lemon juice, toss for 1 minute, and serve.
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