Monday, June 3, 2013

Kanda Poha - Bombay Style, Healthy Breakfast




Poha means flattened rice flakes –it is not only healthy but is also a very common breakfast in India. Why not? After all it is so easy to make and is also very quick. Poha is made in different styles in different parts of India. In Gujarat it is a bit sweeter and is made with lots of potatoes. One place where poha is very popular and is sold in every corner, shop and street is in Mumbai.

Just like vada pav, missal pav Kanda Poha is very famous and is preferred item in breakfast. People in Mumbai are busy and travel long distance from their homes to reach their offices. This is why they prefer having breakfast in office. There will always be vendors selling poha, idli, sabudana vada and missal pav near any office locations. 

Kanda means onion and that is what makes poha special in taste. Compared to most other Maharashtrian breakfast , poha is a relatively light dish made with roasted chillies, onions, mustard seeds and curry leaves A dash of squeezed lime gives enough moisture to dry poha and balances the taste as well.


If you ever go to Mumbai, breakfast like a Mumbaikar. Mumbai is quiet in the morning and the food is fresh ;). For classic poha-try, Hotel Vinay, Jawahar Mansion. I know I got carried away! Moving to the recipe.


Ingredients:
Thick Poha /Flattened rice :  2 cups /150 grams
Onion/pyaz/kanda : 1 large (finely chopped)
Peas/muttar- 1/8 cup
Green Chilies/hari mirch : 2 or to your spice tolerance (Slit lengthwise)
Peanuts/moongfali : 1/4 cup
Asafoetida Powder /hing: 1/2 teaspoon
Mustard Seeds /rai/sarso: 1 teaspoon
Turmeric Powder/ haldi: 1/2 teaspoon
Sugar /chini: 1/4 tsp
Curry Leaves/kadi patta : few
Cilantro /Coriander Leaves/dhaniya : · Few sprigs
Cooking Oil/tel  : 2 tsp (I used coconut oil)
Salt to taste 
Lemon juice/nimbu ras-1 tablespoon

Method:
Heat oil in a pan. Add curry leaves, asafoetida, peanuts, mustard seeds. Cook till peanuts roasts a bit.
Add onions, peas, salt and turmeric. Cook till onions and peas turn soft.
Wash poha with water on a strainer very well. Strain the excess water.
Mix poha in the cooked onion. Cook covered for 1 minute.
Lastly add lime juice and sugar. Mix well. Cook covered for another 2 minutes. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
Serve hot.


Notes: You can add fresh grated coconut in the end for more authentic taste.
Other veggies like potatoes, tomatoes, carrots can also be added.

Taste: Tangy, spicy and crunchy breakfast.

19 comments:

  1. oh!!! my bombay days!!! i used it this one a lot.. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks yummy and delicious, love the vibrant color!
    It is such a humble breakfast dish!

    ReplyDelete
  3. iam already following you dear...
    aval upma looks really tempting..awesome clicks:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks so colorful and tempting!!!all time fav.Thanks for ur lovely comments on my blog

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very delicious and lovely Shweta... Nice click...

    ReplyDelete
  6. you have a wonderful space...happy to follow you as 101th member :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Shweta

    Congrats !!
    I am here to pass on the Leibster blogger award to you, please collect it from the below link. Do comment on the post when you receive it.

    http://indian-delights.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-first-liebster-blog-award.html

    Happy blogging!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. this is almost my kind of addict with poha... yummy recipe

    ReplyDelete
  9. Want to have this plate now as breaky :)
    Looks so tempting !!
    Thanks for linking to my event !!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for dropping by.. u too have an awesome space..
    Poha looks very tempting.. Perfect for a healthy breakfast..

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow! Delicious.. Loved it Shweta :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am planning to make this poha n you have posted... Bookmarked

    ReplyDelete
  13. very healthy and yummy breakfast, following u..

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a tasty and healthy breakfast! I love the sound of this and I'm sure it's very tasty...

    ReplyDelete
  15. Delicious kanda poha my favorite

    ReplyDelete
  16. Kanda Poha is not only famous in Mumbai but also loved by the people of any other state, Kanda Poha recipe is healthy food item. Being fully packed with essential nutrients and rich in fiber. This recipe takes very less time to prepare.

    ReplyDelete

Do not be a silent reader, do leave your comments :)