Aloo Poha [beaten rice with potatoes]

                                              

 

Poha is a simple yet wholesome breakfast dish, every part of India probably has its very own version, the ones that I’m aware of are in Mangalore any rice item with a seasoning is called an usli, and in Maharashtra its famously called the poha (this being my favorite version coz of the potatoes and peanuts ;)) and in Bengal (at my in laws) they call it chirer pulao. This recipe is fairly simple and can be made easily with a few ingredients and doesn’t take too much time even for breakfast yet it tastes great.

 

Ingredients:

Thick Beaten rice – 2cups

Potatoes- 2 medium sized chopped into small cubes

Green chilli chopped

Small onion- 1 finely chopped

Peanuts- a handful

Mustard seeds- 1 teaspoon

Curry leaves 6 or 7

Turmeric powder/haldi – ½ tsp

Lemon juice (according to taste)

Salt to taste

Oil about 4 tablespoon

Coriander leaves 2 tablespoons chopped

Grated coconut 2 tablespoon

 

Method:

Wash and soak the beaten rice for about 10 to 12 minutes (the beaten rice should not get soggy so the soaking time would depend on the thickness of the beaten rice), once soaked drain it and let strain in a strainer.

Chop the potatoes, onions and chilli while the beaten rice is soaking

Heat a kadai/pan with oil, then add the mustard seeds once they stop popping add the peanuts and curry leaves.

 

 Once the peanuts turn a little brown add the onions and green chilli fry till the onion turns translucent, then add the potatoes, turmeric powder and salt and fry the potatoes till they are cooked completely.

 

 

 Now we add the beaten rice and the grated coconut and mix it well, taste and adjust the salt, (you can add a little bit extra oil if you feel it’s a bit dry)

 once the beaten rice looks like its fried take it off the heat and add the lemon juice( I started with half a lemon but it didn’t feel tangy enough so ended up using the entire lemon, so it’s completely up to you) and chopped coriander leaves. And it ready to be served.