Poha is one of the healthiest Indian breakfast items. This is popularly known as kanda poha (onion poha). It's a simple dish made with flattened rice. This onion potato poha is vegan and gluten-free as well.
Onion Potato Poha
Originally, poha is a popular Maharashtrian food item. However, this is equally loved in other parts of the country. Poha is a term for flattened rice. This is rice that is parboiled, rolled, and flattened. Then it's dried to flakes. These flakes are used in various Indian dishes. This is low in calories and keeps the stomach full for longer.
Is poha good for health?
Poha is one of the healthiest breakfasts. These are easily digestible and don't cause bloating. This is light on the stomach. But it keeps you full for longer and gives you feelings of satiety.
Variations -
I add potatoes and green peas to my poha. Fried peanuts are also an essential ingredient of poha. Peanuts add a natural crunch to the poha. You can add grated coconut. However, I don't like coconuts on poha, so I have not added them. Instead, I like sprinkling some bhujia sev or finely chopped tomato and onion.
How to make onion potato poha?
Ingredients
Potatoes, onions, tomatoes, green chilies
Herbs - curry leaves and cilantro leaves
Spices - turmeric powder, salt
Lemon - Lemon juice
Poha - Rinse once or twice using a colander. Let it rest for 5 - 10 minutes before using.
Instructions -
Rinse the poha in a colander once or twice. Let it sit for 10 minutes before using. After 10 minutes, when the flattened rice or poha turns soft and fluffy, add turmeric powder and salt to the poha and mix it well. Keep it aside till we prepare the potato saute.
In a pan, heat oil. Add groundnuts or peanuts and roast until they turn crispy and change color. Don't overcook the peanuts. Remove it and keep it aside. In the same oil, add mustard seeds and let it crackle.
Add curry leaves, chopped onions, and green chilies, and saute for 20 - 30 seconds. Don't wait for the onions to change color. Then add diced potatoes. Mix them nicely and cover them with a lid. Cook on low heat, stirring in between, until the potatoes turn soft and tender.
Once the potatoes are tender, add the poha, roasted peanuts, lemon juice, and chopped cilantro leaves. Give a nice stir and turn off the heat. In the end, optionally add finely chopped onions, tomatoes, and cilantro leaves.
Tips to prepare perfect onion and potato poha
1. Poha is one of the easiest recipes. It doesn't require any preparation and hard work. You only need to wash poha and leave it on a colander or strainer for 5 minutes to soften them
2. But don't soak in water. Just wash it off and spread it on a dry plate/ colander or the strainer itself. If you soak it in water, it will be moist with excess water while cooking. The dish will be mushy and spoil its taste in such a case. Poha should be fluffy and soft.
5. I shallow fry peanuts first, remove them from the oil, and add them at the end.
6. Add onions and potatoes together instead of sauteing onions first. This is because, by the time potatoes get tender, the onions will be burnt.
7. Don't forget the curry leaves in the beginning, and coriander leaves in the end, as these herbs add authentic flavor to the poha.
6. Add lemon juice at the end for a better taste. Garnish with a handful of coriander leaves. Chopped onions and tomatoes on top also taste great. However, that is optional.
Similar Recipes
For more such recipes, check out my 45+ Indian Breakfast Recipes.
Recipe for Kanda Batata Poha (Onion Potato Poha)
Onion Potato Poha
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Poha / Flattened Rice
- 5 tbsp Refined Oil
- 1/4 cup Peanuts
- 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
- 1 Onion
- 2 Potatoes peeled & diced
- 8 - 10 Curry Leaves
- 2 Green Chillies
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
Instructions
- Take 1 cup of poha and wash it properly and keep it aside for 2 minutes till it's soft and fluffy. Then add salt (as per taste) and turmeric powder to the washed poha and mix gently.
- Heat oil in a pan. Fry the peanuts till little brownish and then remove from oil.
- In the same pan add mustard seeds to hot oil and let it splutter.
- After that add curry leaves, green chillies and onion into it. Saute for a minute. No need to brown onions first. Add diced potato and cover with lid. Keep on low flame.
- Once potatoes are properly cooked, add poha. Give it a nice stir.
- In the end add fried peanuts, coriander leaves and lemon juice in it.
- Turn off heat and cover with a lid for 2 minutes before serving.
- Sprinkle some sev bhujia and serve hot.
- You can also add some finely chopped onions, tomatoes, and grated coconut to it.
Nutrition
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Moiz S.
Thank you for this recipe. I'm generally not a big fan of poha but loved how this turned out
Couple of observations...
- Maybe we eat a larger portion but this definitely is not a 4 person recipe.
- I added red and yellow peppers and it was quite colourful.