If you had to name the most popular breakfast option in India, poha would definitely make it to the list. A light but healthy food, poha has a fixed position in almost all regional cuisines. While it is called kanda poha in Maharashtra, the version you get in Madhya Pradesh is called Indori poha. Then in West Bengal it is called chirer polao. Not only that. You will also find people making their own version of the recipe by replacing the poha (flat rice) with sooji, roti, wheat, etc. In whatever form you have the dish, poha wins hearts with its pleasant taste and light texture. One of my favorite versions for breakfast is vegetable poha. It’s fuss-free, tastes great, and helps you incorporate healthy greens into your diet.
But making the perfect poha isn’t as easy as it sounds. If you pay attention, you will often find it to be dry or too mushy, both of which make the dish taste bad. If you are facing the same problem then this article is a must read before you plan to prepare some poha next time. We have compiled a list of some tried and tested tips that will surely help you make smooth and fluffy vegetable poha at home, every time.
See also:Love Poha? 7 Ideas To Make It More Tasty and Healthy
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Here are 6 Tried and Tested Tips for Making Soft and Moist Vegetable Poha:
1. Choose the Right Type of Poha:
If you do your research, you will find different types of poha in the market. Always try to find something thicker as it is easy to handle and cook. The thin and thick poha becomes mushy and loses its texture when exposed to water.
2. Do not soak poha in water for a long time:
Although the poha should be cleaned well before adding it to the pan, if it is soaked for a long time, the dish becomes soggy. It is always recommended to rinse in running water and immediately go to the pot.
3. Don’t Overdo It With Vegetables:
We agree this is one of the best ways to sneak vegetables into your diet, but add them in the right amount. For example, if you use one cup of poha, try not to add more than half a cup of vegetables. Adding more vegetables makes the dish lose its appearance, taste, and flavor.
4. Don’t Eat Too Much Vegetables:
We all love the crunchy texture of vegetables. correct? To retain that, always fry vegetables on high heat and add salt at the end. Adding salt while cooking makes vegetables lose water, making them hard and tasteless.
5. Always Cook on Medium Flame:
The way food is cooked also has a big impact on the final product. While cooking poha on high heat increases the risk of burning, keeping the heat low keeps the dish moist. Always keep the gas stove on low flame after adding the poha to the pan. This will not only make the poha soft and fluffy, but also help keep it moist.
6. Steam Poha Before Turning Off the Fire:
When you think it’s done cooking, lower the heat, cover the pan, and allow it to steam for about one to two minutes. This will help add flavor and texture to the food.
Also Read:Quick Breakfast: This Delicious Microwave Poha Recipe Will Save You Time
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How to Make Vegetable Poha for Breakfast:
Now that you have the tips, we suggest you follow them and prepare a delicious vegetable poha plate. To make vegetable poha, first prepare tadka of mustard seeds, curry leaves, and red chillies. Add vegetables and cook with some salt at the end. Then add poha and mix with salt, sugar, and turmeric powder. Finally, add the coconut, lemon juice, and final mix. Serve hot with a garnish of sev and chopped fresh coriander leaves. And you have hot and tasty vegetable poha to enjoy. Click here for the recipe.
Can You Cook Soft And Fat Vegetable Poha In A Microwave Oven?
Today, you will find that every dish has a microwave oven version of the recipe to save time, effort, and energy. Poha can also be cooked in a microwave oven without any effort. In fact, making it in the oven will eliminate the risk of the poha becoming dry or soggy. To make regular poha, you microwave the oil and spices first, then add onions and microwave again. Finally, mix the poha and microwave for a final time of around three minutes. That’s it. Now, if you want to add some vegetables, we suggest roasting the vegetables first and then adding them to the dish.
What are you waiting for? Prepare moist and fluffy vegetable poha at home and enjoy!
