What better way to start your day than a plate of Kanda (Onion) Poha. Packed with numerous health benefits, this is a common breakfast dish in most Maharashtrian homes. Having grown up with a Maharashtrian neighbour, my childhood memory of having authentic Kanda Poha for the first time was at their place.
Kanda Poha is an easy dish to prepare and is light too. A dash of lemon juice gives Poha a sour taste, topped with sweetness of desiccated coconut and crunchy texture of roasted peanuts makes this dish so delectable.
⏱️ Preparation time: 10 minutes
🥘 Cooking time: 15 minutes
⏳ Total duration: 25 minutes
Type of meal: Breakfast / Snacks
Cuisine: Indian, Maharashtrian
🍽️ Serves upto 3 persons
Ingredients:
- Poha (Flat rice / Aval): 1.5 cups
- Onion: 1 (finely chopped)
- Potato: 1 (boiled)
- Green chilli: 2 – 3 (chopped)
- Ginger: 1 bulb (finely chopped)
- Curry leaves: 1 sprig
- Coriander leaves: handful (finely chopped)
- Mustard seeds: 1 tsp
- Cumin seeds: 1 tsp
- Peanuts: 1/4 cup (handful): roasted
- Lemon juice: 2 tsp
- Grated coconut: 1 tbsp
- Salt to taste
- Turmeric powder: 1/2 tsp
- Sev: 1 tbsp (for garnishing – optional)
Instructions:
- Boil 1 medium size potato in a pressure cooker upto 5 whistles
- Take 1.5 cups of poha and put it in a strainer / colander and wash it under running water. Keep it aside for 10 minutes (in the colander).
- Before you start making the poha, keep the finely chopped onion, ginger and green chillies ready.
- In a wok, kept on medium flame, add 1 tsp oil. After the oil becomes hot, add 1 tsp of mustard and cumin seeds and let it sputter.
- Now, add the chopped green chillies and ginger, 1 sprig of curry leaves and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Add the finely chopped onion and salt as per taste and sauté till it turns pink.
- Roast 1/4 cup of peanuts in the microwave for 3 minutes by stirring it after every minute.
- Add the roasted peanuts in the wok and stir well.
- Remove the skin of the potato and add the diced pieces into the wok.
- Sprinkle 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder and mix well for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the poha in the wok and stir well. Taste and adjust the salt accordingly.
- As poha is usually very dry, sprinkle some water and cook it for 2-3 minutes.
- Now add 1 tbsp of dessicated coconut and 2 tsp of lemon juice and mix well.
- Garnish with a handful of chopped coriander leaves.
- Transfer the contents into a serving bowl and serve it hot with a cup of chai or coffee.
- You may sprinkle some sev on top for an extra crunch.
Notes:
- Ensure you wash the poha under running water and keep it aside in a colander. Soaking it will make it too soggy and sticky.
- After you finish making the poha sprinkle some water on it and transfer it into a serving bowl as this helps it from becoming dry.
Bon Appetit!
