Welcome to a culinary adventure through the heart of India, where flavours and traditions unite to bring you a beloved breakfast staple - Poha. This delightful dish holds a special place in the hearts of people across the subcontinent.
Poha, a symbol of culinary heritage, is celebrated in various forms, showcasing the ingenuity of Indian cooking. Packed with history and taste, it represents a blend of generations-old recipes and modern adaptations. Poha is not just a dish; it's a story on a plate.
Poha is a versatile breakfast staple. It is made from flattened rice, or millet. Poha transcends regional boundaries, reflecting the diversity and unity of India. The delicate grains, soaking up an array of aromatic spices, vegetables, and flavours, create a symphony of taste.
Without further ado, let’s unlock the nuances of Poha recipes. From the tangy notes of Maharashtra's Kanda Poha to the zest of Indore's signature dish, we will explore an array of traditional recipes. Make these recipes with varieties of poha- whether bajra or ragi- both of which are wholesome for diabetic patients as they have a low glycemic index and are gluten-free. Let’s dive into the heartwarming world of Poha!
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Table of Contents
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Traditional Poha Recipes
Let’s take a look at some of the most prevalent Poha recipes :
Maharashtrian Kanda Poha
The word “Kanda” means onions in Marathi. This staple dish brings a very simple flavour and element to tradition by adding just one vegetable.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups of Ragi Poha
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt as per taste
- 2 tbsps of peanuts
- 2 potatoes, cubed
- 2 tbsps mustard seeds
- 2 tbsps cumin seeds
- 1 onion, sliced thinly
Preparation
- Start with 1.5 cups of thick or medium-thick Ragi Poha, rinsing them carefully to achieve the perfect texture.
- Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon sugar, and salt to taste.
- Dry roast 2 tablespoons of peanuts until crunchy.
- Sauté small, cubed potatoes till they are golden and crisp.
- In the same pan, sauté mustard and cumin seeds, followed by chopped onions, curry leaves, green chillies, and roasted peanuts.
- Mix in the prepared Poha and cooked potatoes.
- Steam for 2 minutes, adjusting salt and sugar to taste.
- Serve piping hot for a delicious Indian delight.
Make this delicious recipe on special occasions to serve a hearty meal to your guests. You can also eat it as a comfort food on days when you do not feel like cooking.
Indori Poha
Want to try Poha the sweet, sour, and tangy way? Try making the Indori Poha recipe. To prepare this recipe, you will need:
Ingredients
- 2 cups of thick Bajra poha
- 1 chopped green chilli
- 1 lemon
- ¼ to ⅓ cup chopped onions
- ¼ cup indori sev
- ¼ cup masala boondi
- ¼ cup chopped coriander leaves
- Jeeravan masala
- ¼ cup pomegranate arils
Preparation
Rinse the Bajra Poha gently, drain excess water, and ensure it's soft but intact. Mix Bajra Poha, turmeric, sugar, and salt. Sauté mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and green chilli in 2 tbsp oil. Add Poha, steam for 1-2 minutes, then garnish with onions and coriander. Serve hot. It is one of the easiest Poha recipes.
Relish this bowl of poha on a rainy day. The warmth and delicious taste of the dish will keep you satisfied in the cool and rainy weather.
South Indian Poha Upma
Try upma the Poha way! Yes, you can make traditional upma with poha. It is called Aval Poha in the Southern part of India. For Aval Poha or South Indian Poha Upma recipe, gather:
Ingredients
- 2 cups poha
- 1 tbsp oil
- ¼ tsp asafoetida (hing)
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp black urad dal (split)
- 1 finely chopped onion
- 2 finely chopped green chillies
- 1 inch finely chopped Ginger
- Curry leaves
- ¼ tbsp turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp roasted peanuts and
- Finely chopped coriander leaves.
Preparation
Rinse the Poha in a sieve under cold water, ensuring the desired texture. Heat oil and add asafoetida, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and urad dal. Put in curry leaves, chopped onion, green chillies, and ginger. Sauté until the onions are soft. Add the spices. Stir for 2-3 mins. Garnish and serve.
Make this poha on Onam or other auspicious occasions to mark celebrations. Gorge on this bowl of poha that is filled with the goodness of protein.
Bengali Chirer Pulao
In Bengal, Poha is a staple breakfast dish with a mildly sweet taste. Raisins and veggies in Bengali Chirer Pulao enrich it with nutrients, making it one of the healthiest Poha recipes. So, how to make Bengali Poha?
Ingredients
- 2 cups Poha (Flattened rice)
- 1 thinly sliced Onion
- 1 finely chopped Carrot
- 1/4 cup finely chopped Green beans
- 1/2 cup cauliflower
- 1/3 cup green peas
- 3 tbsp roasted peanuts
- 1 tbsp Sultana raisins
- 1/4 tsp Kalonji
- 1 tsp haldi
- 2 tsp Sugar, Salt, and Pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice,
- A small bunch of finely chopped Coriander Leaves, and
- 1 tbsp Oil.
Preparation
Steam green peas, carrots, cauliflower, and beans. Rinse Poha in a colander under running water. Heat oil to sauté sliced onions. Stir gently after adding lemon juice and coriander leaves, and let it steam for 3 to 4 minutes.
Serve this easy Poha recipe with Masala Chai or as a snack. Eat this as you celebrate Durga Puja or Dol (Bengali Holi) with your loved ones.
Chole Poha
Want a protein-rich breakfast? Chole Poha is the best option for a healthy breakfast. Chole is rich in iron and protein, making it one of the healthiest ingredients for your body. You can make this Chole Poha recipe and squeeze some lemon for tanginess!
Ingredients
- Poha (50 gram)
- Chole (50 gram)
- Coconut Oil (5 grams)
- Mustard Seed - 1/4 Tsp
- Onion (50 gram)
- Green Chilly - 1
- Turmeric - 1/4 Tsp
- Salt - As Per Taste
- Curry Leaves-4-5
- Coriander (finely chopped)
Preparation
Firstly, soak the chole in water overnight. In the morning, cook in the pressure cooker for five minutes. Drain the water. Place the Poha in a colander. Wash it for 10 seconds in running water.
Drain the water. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. As they crackle, add some curry leaves, green chiles, and sliced onions. Saute onions. Stir in salt and turmeric on low flame. Add Poha and chickpeas and serve hot.
Chole Poha is the perfect “One-Pot Meal.” Along with chole, you also get the nutrition of peanuts, cooked chana, and several spices. Your guests will love this recipe on special occasions.
Five Innovative And Unique Poha Recipes
Food itself is an art. You can interpret it your way and make something new out of it every time. Similar to art, you can interpret traditional food dishes and put a new spin on them. Who says you always have to prepare Poha the same old way? Try these five new innovative recipes that add a little twist to your Poha!
Poha Tikkis
Looking for the perfect party starter? Add tikkis to your Poha recipes. Take all the following ingredients in a deep bowl.
Ingredients
- Poha (50 gram)
- Carrot (1)
- Potatoes (1)
- Capsicum (1)
- Onions (1 finely chopped)
- Coriander (1 finely chopped)
- Garlic(1)
- Ginger (1)
- Green chillies (1-2)
- Chilli flakes.
- Bread crumbs
- Lemon juice
- Salt
Preparation
- Mix everything to form a dough.
- Divide dough into equal portions and roll
- In a small bowl, take plain flour, cornflour, and 1/2 cup water.
- Whisk it till it is lump-free.
- Dip each tikki into the slurry.
- Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the tikkis till golden brown.
- Serve with sauce.
Make these easy-to-make tikkis with poha and serve your guests on the go. They will be your last-minute snacks when you do not have the time to make a full-course meal for your guests or for yourself!
Poha Pancakes/ Poha Uttapam
Who says Indian pancakes cannot be tasty while being traditional? Make tasty and nutritious pancakes with a hint of traditional Indian taste.
Ingredients
For your batter:
- ½ cup thick Poha (flattened rice)
- ½ cup fine rava (semolina)
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup curd (yoghurt)
- ½ tsp salt
Toppings:
- ½ finely chopped onion
- 5 finely chopped beans
- ½ finely chopped carrot
- ½ finely chopped capsicum
- 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander
- ¼ tsp salt
Additional ingredients:
- Chilli flakes for sprinkling
- Oil for roasting
Preparation
- Soak ½ cup Poha in enough water for 5 minutes, then drain and blend to a smooth paste.
- Transfer the Poha paste to a large bowl and add rava, water, curd, and salt. Mix well.
- Rest the mixture for 20 minutes to ensure the rava soaks well.
- Prepare toppings by mixing chopped vegetables, coriander, and salt.
- Pour the Poha batter onto a pan, top with prepared toppings, and sprinkle chilli flakes.
- Cook covered for a minute until the base cooks, then flip and cook both sides.
- Enjoy Poha uttapam with tomato sauce or coconut chutney.
Make breakfast traditional, fun, and nutritious with poha pancakes. Dip your pancakes into sauce or achar and enjoy this delectable meal.
Poha Dhokla
If you are craving instant dhoklas for your breakfast, Poha dhoklas are here to satisfy your cravings.
Ingredients
You don't need too many ingredients, nor is it a lengthy preparation.
- Beaten rice- 1 cup
- Green chilli paste- 2 tbsp
- Salt- as per taste
- Butter
- Asafoetida
Preparation
- Combine curd and 1 cup of water in a bowl.
- Add the beaten rice, green chilli paste and salt. Mix it well.
- Before steaming, add the fruit salt and 2 tsp of water over it.
- When you see bubbles form, gently mix them.
- Pour this batter into a greased pan and shake it to spread the batter evenly.
- Steam it in a steamer for 10-12 minutes. Keep dhoklas aside.
- Heat oil in a small pan and add mustard seeds.
- As they crackle, add asafoetida. Saute on a medium flame and pour it over the dhoklas.
- Leave it to cool. Cut it into diamond-shaped pieces. Like other Poha recipes, garnish with coriander.
Try Ragi Poha for this recipe. and you’ll have a nutrient-rich and tasty Poha dhokla.
This easy-to-make poha dhokla makes a good tiffin snack and will satisfy your lunch cravings amidst your busy work schedule.
Poha Bhel
This one on the list of Poha recipes is a great snack option.
Ingredients
- ½ cup chopped onions
- ½ cup finely grated fresh coconut
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 100 grams Poha chivda
For tempering:
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- ¼ tsp asafoetida
- 10-12 chopped curry leaves
- 2-3 chopped green chillies
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
Preparation
- Heat oil in a pan and add asafoetida, curry leaves, vegetables and green chillies to it.
- Sauté turmeric powder in the pan for 6-8 seconds.
- Pour the tempering over the mixture and mix well.
- Add Poha chivda to the bowl, mix, and serve immediately.
It's perfect for your evening guests with a cup of tea! Enjoy it for your evening relaxation time.
Poha Salad
This is one of the easiest Poha recipes that you will find. Try it now!
Ingredients
- Peanuts (soaked for 2 hours),
- Poha,
- Grated carrots,
- Grated cucumber,
- Grated coconut,
- 1 teaspoon of ginger-chilli paste,
- Salt and sugar to taste,
- ½ tbsp of chopped mint leaves (pudina) and
- 1 tbsp of lemon juice.
Preparation
Wash and drain Poha until it becomes soft and swells up.
Add all the ingredients to a bowl and mix well.
Try Bajra Poha to make this salad, and you’ve got a protein-rich lunch ready for you.
Three Regional Poha Specialities
Poha is such a versatile ingredient that it has found its way into some regional dishes as well. Here are 3 dishes that you might have heard of but wouldn’t have guessed that they had Poha as an ingredient :
Uttar Pradesh's Poha With Jalebi
Dive into the marvellous flavours of Uttar Pradesh with their famous dish poha jalebi. Here are the ingredients that you need :
Ingredients ForJalebi:
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup corn starch
- 1 cup yoghurt, whisked
- Food colour (optional)
- 2 tbsp hot oil for batter, plus more for frying
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Ingredients For Poha:
-2 cups Poha
- ¾ cup freshly grated coconut
-1 finely chopped onion
- 1-2 green chillies
- 1/m coriander /curry leaves
- 1 tbsp mustard seeds
- 1 tbsp of fennel seed
- 1 tbsp of turmeric
- 1 finely or cubed chopped potato
-¼ peanuts
Preparation
Wash Poha, drain, and set aside. Sauté mustard seeds, fennel seeds, onions, green chillies, peanuts, and curry leaves. Add turmeric, potatoes, and Poha. Cook covered.
When ready, serve hot Poha with crispy, warm jalebis. Follow this recipe to make homemade jalebis. This dish is an amazing mix of sweet and savoury and is quite popular in UP as a breakfast dish. Try it now!
Rajasthani Poha Chaat
With this delightful fusion dish, combine traditional flavours with an exciting medley of spices, chutney, and crunchy toppings. Relish this savoury and spicy dish that can challenge any street food! Learn how to make one of the most popular Poha recipes:
Ingredients
Poha- 2 cups
Peanuts- 1 bowl
Dal- 250 grams
Cashews, Almonds- 1 bowl each (7-8 pieces of each )
Dry coconut (Grated)- ½ cup
Preparation
- In a heavy-bottomed pan, dry roast 2 cups of thin Poha till crisp. Set aside.
- Roast peanuts, roasted gram dal, cashews, almonds, and dry coconut.
- Add cumin, red chilli, curry leaves, spices, and roasted Poha. Mix gently.
- For the chaat, combine chopped vegetables, lemon, chaat masala, and prepared Poha chivda.
- Enjoy topped with onions.
Serve this dish hot with a cup of chai.
Karnataka's Avalakki Bisi Bele Bath
This dish is a little different from the rest of the Poha recipes. Instead of rice, this dish has Avalakki, or “flattened rice,” as its main ingredient.
Ingredients
- Peas- 1 small bowl
- Potatoes- 3-4 chopped
- Carrots- 2 chopped
- Beans
- Turmeric - 2 tbsp
- Salt- as per taste
Preparation
- Cook peas, potatoes, beans, and carrots with 2 cups water, turmeric, and salt.
- Add tamarind extract, jaggery, cooked toor dal, and bisi bele bath masala powder.
- Mix in the thick Poha and simmer until cooked.
- Prepare tempering with mustard seeds, hing, curry leaves, and cashews in ghee.
- Add to the prepared dish and serve with a raita mixture.
Try this recipe once for a tantalising taste!
FAQs
How many calories are there in Poha?
Considering its primary nutrients, a regular-sized bowl (139g) of Poha has about 158 kcal. This low calorie content does not adversely affect your weight.
Does Poha help in weight loss?
Yes, it is high in fiber and has a low calorie content. It is perfect for people trying to lose weight and stay in shape.
Is Poha good for high blood pressure?
Due to the absence of sodium, Poha is perfect for people with high blood pressure. Try organic Poha from Two Brothers Organic Farms.
Can you gain weight eating Poha?
Poha does contain some carbohydrates but it is still a healthier option for breakfast. You will not gain significant weight if you eat Poha.
Where can you find the best Poha?
Try the organic selection of Poha from Two Brothers Organic Farms. It is 100% organic and free from any preservatives or additives.
Conclusion
Make a hearty breakfast every day with such innovative Poha recipes. Relish the crisp texture of Poha with the crunchiness of roasted peanuts and the tanginess of lemon. Make this easy recipe when you are on the go or need a quick meal to satiate your carvings. Get the best Poha from Two Brothers Organic Farm and relish in the organic goodness!
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