How to make it
7 steps. Take it one step at a time.
Place the flattened rice
Place the flattened rice (poha) in a colander and rinse under cold running water for 30-45 seconds. Do not soak. The grains should be soft but still hold their shape. Sprinkle with salt and sugar, toss gently, and set aside.
Heat oil in a wide pan
Heat oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Add the peanuts and fry until they become crunchy and turn a slightly darker shade of brown. Remove and set aside if you want them extra crunchy, or leave them in the pan.
3 minAdd mustard seeds
In the same oil, add mustard seeds. When they begin to crackle, add cumin seeds, green chilies, and curry leaves. Sauté for a few seconds until fragrant.
Add the chopped onions and sauté
Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and soft, but do not brown them.
4 minStir in the turmeric powder
Stir in the turmeric powder. Add the rinsed poha and mix gently with a light hand to ensure the turmeric coats the grains evenly without breaking them.
Cover the pan with a lid and let it steam
Cover the pan with a lid and let it steam on very low heat for 2-3 minutes. This keeps the poha moist and soft.
3 minTurn off the heat
Turn off the heat. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice and garnish generously with chopped cilantro. Serve hot.
A little kitchen wisdom
Always use 'Thick Poha' for this recipe; thin poha will turn into a paste when rinsed. Rinsing the rice is about hydration, not soaking, so do it quickly.
