Kanda Pohe (Poha) - A Vegetarian Indian Snack Made of Flattened Rice

Pohe (in Marathi), or Poha (in Hindi) means flattened rice. It's prepared in many different ways. I am going to show you a simple preparation from the Indian state of Maharashtra, which is where my family comes from.

Though it's a really simple dish to make, growing up I always thought of pohe as a special treat. It brings back a lot of good memories to say the least because it was often eaten when the family got together.

A carbohydrate heavy dish, there aren't many people who won't like this one!

Kanda Pohe

Makes 4 snack sized servings, or serves 2 as a meal

Ingredients

300 grams of poha

2 medium sized potatoes, cut into cubes

1 small onion, choppped

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 teaspoon black mustard seeds

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or 1 green bird's eye chilli, finely chopped)

1-2 teaspoon salt

1 heaping tablespoon of sugar

1 large handful of cilantro, washed, leaves removed from stalks and chopped

Optional - freshly grated coconut

Method

1. Chop the onion and potato.

2. Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan.

3. Add the mustard seeds, and wait until they start talking (until they start popping).

4. Add the onion and fresh green chili if that's what is being used.

5. Cook on a medium heat for three to four minutes, until onion starts to soften.

6. Add potatoes and cover pan to help soften potatoes more quickly, stir occasionally.

7. In a strainer, add poha, and run water over until well soaked; allow to drain.

8. Place poha in a bowl. Add turmeric, chili (unless you used fresh green chili), sugar and salt.

9. Mix well, add lemon juice, and set aside.

10. Chop cilantro. Set aside. If you have fresh coconut, this would also be the time to grate it.

11. When potatoes are softened, remove lid and allow potatoes to brown until golden.

12. Add poha mixture to pan, and stir gently on a low heat until mixture becomes more yellow and slightly drier. This will take a few minutes.

13. Stir in cilantro, and remove pan from heat. Garnish with grated coconut.

14. Enjoy hot and fresh. The poha flakes become hard after some time if they become cold.