Indian · serves 2

Poha

Fifteen minutes. Breakfast, dinner, whatever — nobody is checking.

15 min Easy Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 2 cups thick poha
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 potato, small cubes (optional)
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 10 curry leaves
  • 2 green chillies
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • Lemon, peanuts, coriander

Method

  1. Rinse poha in a colander until soft, then leave it to drain. Don't soak it in standing water.
  2. Mustard seeds in oil, curry leaves, chillies, peanuts.
  3. Onion and potato, cover, cook till the potato is done.
  4. Turmeric, salt, sugar, then the poha. Fold gently, cover, 2 minutes on low.
  5. Lots of lemon and coriander.

Questions people ask about Poha

How long does Poha take?

About 15 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is straightforward. That is start-to-finish, so it works on a weeknight when you have not planned anything.

What is the one thing to get right in Poha?

Rinse poha in a colander until soft, then leave it to drain. Don't soak it in standing water.

What can I use instead of onion in Poha?

Use shallots, which are sweeter, or leeks for a milder result. Neither browns quite as deeply.

Can I make Poha ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Poha vegetarian?

Yes, and as written it is vegan too. Check your specific brands if that matters to you.

What do you serve with Poha?

Roti or plain rice, with something sharp on the side: curd, pickle or sliced onion. It serves two as written. Double everything to feed four, but use a wider pan so the food still browns rather than steams.

Don't know what to cook? Let it decide →

Read more on the technique

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