Poha, especially in its traditional Maharashtrian style, was never my favorite. I always found it a bit too dry and couldn’t really enjoy it. But after marrying into a Maharashtrian family, well—there was no escaping Poha!
Somewhere along the way, I happened to eat Poha that completely changed my mind. For the first time, I actually liked it. I tried making it myself, and after many attempts (and quite a few flops), I finally nailed the version I had been craving all along.
Today, I can proudly say I’ve become a bit of a Poha expert 😉—it’s not too dry, perfectly balanced, and full of flavor. But there’s one thing that hasn’t changed: I still can’t eat Poha without a strong cup of adrak wali chai ☕
So here it is—my Poha recipe, just the way I like it.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 cup thick poha (flattened rice)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small tomato, finely chopped
- 1 green chili, chopped (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp oil
- A few curry leaves (optional, but adds aroma)
- 2 tbsp roasted peanuts
- Fresh coriander, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon juice, to taste
- Sev (optional, for topping)
🔥 Instructions
- Rinse the poha gently under water in a strainer. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes to soften.
- Heat oil in a sturdy non-stick kadai like this one I use. It heats evenly and makes cooking super easy!
- Add peanuts and roast them until crisp and golden.
- Toss in curry leaves, green chili, and chopped onions. Sauté till onions are soft and slightly golden.
- Add the chopped tomato and cook until soft and slightly mushy.
- Add turmeric and salt. Mix well.
- Add the softened poha. Mix gently to coat everything evenly.
- Cook on low heat for 2–3 minutes, then turn off the flame.
- Squeeze in some lemon juice and garnish with fresh coriander.
- Serve hot, optionally topped with sev—and don’t forget that adrak wali chai! ☕✨
💡 Tips from My Kitchen
- Never soak poha in water for too long—it’ll turn mushy.
- Use thick poha for better texture.
- Add sugar if you like a slightly sweet touch.
- Tomato adds moisture and a gentle tang—don’t skip it if you want softer Poha!
- Add boiled green peas if you want a veggie boost.
- If you want a richer version, top with grated coconut or serve with spicy chutney on the side.