Poha

This is a very quick and delicious breakfast item. It is made with beaten rice (rice flakes or flattened rice), which needs to be washed and kept for at least ten minutes (preferably half an hour) before making the dish. Three types of beaten rice are available and the soaking varies with each one.

This is the thinnest variety and you have to put it over a sieve, and let the water run over it. Shake off excess water and let it stand for ten minutes.

The medium variety needs to be washed once, then drain excess water and let It soak and swell up.

The thicker variety should be washed, then leave some water, just above the beaten rice and let it stand to absorb the water and swell up.

Ingredients:

Beaten rice       - two fistfuls for two people, soaked for at least ten minutes.

Onion   - I small cut fine

Green chilli       - 1 cut small

Curry leaves     - a few

Tomato (optional)         - 1 small cut fine

Oil        - 2 tbsps

Mustard seeds  - ½ tsp

Roasted ground nuts – 2 tbsps (you may peel them too)

Turmeric powder          - ½ tsp

Garam masala powder  - ½ tsp

Salt to taste

Sugar   - 2 tsps

Green peas cooked (optional)   - 1 tbsp

Coconut scrapings (optional)     - 2 tbsps

Lemon  - 1/2

Method:

-         Heat oil in a thick bottomed pan, add mustard seeds. When they splutter, add the cut onion, green chilli and curry leaves.

-         When the onions turn transparent, add the roasted ground nuts and stir a little.

-         Add the soaked beaten rice, to which the turmeric powder, garam masala powder, salt and sugar are added.

-         Add the cooked green peas, stir well for about a minute, remove from the fire.

-         Squeeze the lemon over it and mix well

-         Garnish with the coconut scrapings while serving.