Flattened rice/Poha

Flattened rice can be eaten raw by immersing it in plain water or milk, with salt and sugar to taste, or lightly fried in oil with nuts, raisins, cardamoms, and other spices. The lightly fried variety is a standard breakfast in India; it can be cooked in many varieties.

Ingredients for poha:

Poha (flattened rice) 2 cups

Vegetable/ sunflower cooking oil ½ cup.

Mustard seeds 1tsp.

Curry leaves ½ cup

Green chilies split lengthwise (optional) 2

Dried red chilies 2

Medium onion chopped fine 1/2

Handful of unsalted peanuts (skins removed)

Pinch of turmeric powder

Juice of 1/2 a lime

Salt to taste

Chopped coriander to garnish

Preparation of poha:

• Wash poha under running water for 2 minutes. Keep aside to drain.
• Heat the oil in a pan on a medium flame and add the mustard seeds, curry leaves and green chilies.
• Fry till the spluttering stops and then add the onion. Fry till soft and translucent.
• Add the peanuts stir frequently, cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Add the turmeric powder and stir well to blend all ingredients.
• Drain the poha completely to remove all water and add it to the above mix. Cook for another minute.
• Turn off the fire.
• Pour lime juice over the poha and mix well.
• Garnish with chopped coriander and serve while hot.
• Poha tastes great with Mint-Coriander Chutney.