Matar Poha is a slight twist on Kande Poha, a traditional healthy breakfast dish (vegan) from Maharashtra (western part of India). Kanda is onion and poha is flattened or beaten rice. The whole mixture is flavored green peas and a variety of aromatic Indian spices, often enjoyed with a cup of hot coffee or tea!! I always love to give my own twist to any dish. Most people add potatoes; I prefer to add vegetables like green peas, corn, capsicum or bell pepper etc. Feel free to add any vegetable of your choice. Hence, the matar poha (green peas with beaten rice flakes). There are 2 varieties of poha, thick and thin variety (some places have 3 varieties, thick, medium and thin variety!!). For matar poha, the thick variety is used as the process involves washing the flakes and draining them without making them mushy. The thick variety withstands this process.
Even though I am from South India where the prevalent breakfast items are idlis and dosas, I love to eat a variety of dishes from different parts of the country. We have our own poha creations like poha chutney, poha upkari, godu pohu (poha with jaggery and coconut) etc.
Matar poha is a frequent guest in our kitchen !! I savor the soft crunch of the onions in the poha, along with the gentle bite of the green peas, bathed in a combination of different spices and tinged with the golden yellow color imparted by the turmeric and slight tang of the lemon juice. Grated coconut is not a part of the original dish, but being a girl from the coastal town of Mangalore (with lots of coconut trees!!), I frequently add coconut in small amounts in most of my dishes along with curry leaves!! Addition of nuts like peanuts or cashew nuts is also optional. If I am out of green peas, I do add peanuts. The whole mixture is then garnished with chopped coriander leaves and served hot with a lemon wedge (optional) along with hot tea or coffee. Not just for breakfast, you can enjoy this mildly spiced variation of kanda poha as an evening snack or anytime you have a snack attack!! (Mutter poha is a quick and easy dish, ready under 20 minutes!!) For more breakfast dishes, do try: Surnali Dosa/Konkani Style Pancakes Instant Multigrain Rava Dosa Khara Pongal
Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes
2 cups thick poha 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 to 3 green chillies, chopped ½ to 1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen) ¼ cup grated coconut 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 1 teaspoon jeera or cumin seeds 1 teaspoon urad dal ½ teaspoon hing or asafoetida Few curry leaves 3 tablespoon oil ½ teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teapoon lemon juice Salt to taste Coriander leaves for garnishing
Instructions Notes Addition of peanuts gives it a good texture and crunch!! Feel free to use any nuts you like. It is best served fresh as poha tends to dry up over time.
