Poha

Another one of my favorite quick fixes....I totally love Poha, can't say the same for hubby dear but slowly but surely he is becoming a convert. Mainly had for breakfast/ brunch, I sometimes make it for a light dinner too....


This recipe is also my entry for the "Recipes for the rest of us" event started by Ramki. All the measurements can be modified to your requirement.



Ingredients:
Beaten Rice (White)/ Poha - 3 cups
Potato - 2 medium or 4 small (You can add more if you like potatoes like me - but stick to this number if you are having this Poha for Dinner)
Onion - 1 cup chopped small
Lemon - 1 small or 1 1/2 tbsp of Lemon juice
Ginger - 1" piece
Green Chili - 2 sliced
Turmeric Powder - 2 tsp
Raisins - 1/2 cup
Coriander leaves - a small bunch
Jeera /Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Oil - 2 tbsp
Salt to taste




In a saute pan heat oil and add the jeera, ginger, onion and fry till the onions sweat and become pink in color and start to brown. Add salt, turmeric powder, green chili, potatoes and cover and cook till the potatoes are done on low heat.I normally speed up this process by first getting the potatoes done in the microwave while the onions are getting brown, I also put salt with the potatoes. Make sure that the potatoes are cooked just right that they are still soft yet firm enough that they don't crumble on touch.
While this is being done wash the beaten rice and squeeze out the water without crumbling them. Don't leave the rice in water for long - they will disintegrate - 2 quick rinses and you are done.
After the potatoes are done (or in my case ready from the microwave, I drain the potatoes and add) remove the cover and add the beaten rice, raisins and mix well, cover and cook for 1 minute. If you prefer don't cover but make sure you continue to stir until you see the Poha has reduced to less than 1/2 its original size.
Add the lemon juice, stirring at the same time.When you add lemon juice while the Poha is still cooking you will lose some of the juice's sting and also it will help keep the Poha from getting too soggy. Remove from heat and garnish with the coriander leaves.
Serve with a piece of lemon and some lime pickle.

You can also add fried okra slices instead of potatoes.
Generally mustard, urad dal and curry leaves are added as tempering but we just add jeera. Add one or the other ...don't add both.

Poha is available at any Indian grocery store. Look for the white poha...not the translucent one.