Try out this khatta meeta poha made with gluten-free riceflakes. This vegan street food is easy to prepare and delightfully flavourful.
The past two weeks have been a roller coaster, change of workplace, new people, longer travel, travel back for husband, numerous school activities, uni finish ups etc. These things look really tackled, but together create a bit of a stressful environment. It is the quick and easy home food that keeps us going, knowing we are there for each other. Since all our taste buds craved some street food, here it is, the simplest, indori poha.
Exploring indori poha
If that poha jalebi combo is one that you love the indori poha is what you must try. With the unique chaatvali flavours coming from the jeeravan masala and the crunch from the farsan topping, the poha is a perfect street-style breakfast. Indori poha is a popular breakfast along the streets of Indore.
How is indori poha different from kanda poha?
First of all the flavours of both the variety of poha are different. The indori poha, is sweeter than the Kanda poha. Yhe poha here is steamed to ensure it stays fluffy and soft. The onions are used as a topping in indori poha and are not sauteed. The jeeeravan masala adds the chaat feeling along with the crunchy farsan added on top. Both these are absent in Kanda poha.
Ingredients and substitutions
Poha: flattened rice flakes, chiwda, pauwa, avalakki, aval or poha is a common ingredients in Indian kitchens. It comes in nylon, thin, medium or thick varieties depending on how much the rice has been flattened. To make poha, the dehusked rice is parboiled and barely dried off. This is flattened using rollers to the desired thickness and then dried. The variety of poha used for this preparation is of medium thickness. You can choose the red or white variety available to make this recipe, though as a street food you will see it only made with white poha.
Oil: any neutral oil will work perfectly to make this indori poha, it is only an agency to carry the spice flavours.
Spices: turmeric powder mixed into the poha before steaming gives the characteristic colour.
mustard fennel, green chilli and ginger are all sauteed to add to the poha to create a base flavour.
Salt and sugar: since the indori poha has a sweet and sour flavour to it, the salt-sugar balance is absolutely necessary to create the taste.
Onion: freshly chipped onion is added on top of the hot poha.
Pomegranate arils: the freshness and sweet-tart burst of flavour make this street food click.
Jeeravan masala: is the characteristic flavour of this khatta meeta poha making it the most loved street food.
Farsan: the classic crunchy toppings include spicy indori sev, masala boondi or ratlami sev. These are so valuable to this recipe as it adds to the crunch factor.
Steps to making the poha
Steaming the poha – The first and important step that makes the variety of poha extra fluffy is steaming the poha. For this rinse the poha two to three times under running water. Set aside for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the poha to soften To this add salt, sugar and turmeric powder and fluff well using a fork. Set a steamer ready and steam the poha for 10 minutes. Once the poha is ready proceed to step two.
Flavouring the poha: Into a pan add oil and splutter the mustard seeds, roast the fennel seeds along with chillies and ginger. Add peanuts if preferred (I did not) now add the steamed poha and mix well. Take care not to make the poha mushy.
To serve: to a plate flattened out a portion of poha onto a plate, sprinkle jeeravan masala powder, freshly chopped onions and pomegranate arils. Top it with crunchy spicy indori sev or ratlami sev. Squeeze a generous bit of lemon juice on top and the poha is ready to serve.
Indori poha
Equipment
- colander
- Kadai
- Steamer
- ladle
Ingredients
- 2 cups rice flakes thick poha
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp unrefined sugar
for tempering
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 small green chilli
- 1/2 inch fresh ginger root chopped fine.
Garnish
- 1/2 cup sev
- 2-3 tbsp red onion chopped
- 2-3 tbsp pomegranate seeds
- jeeravan masala
- 1 tbsp coriander leaves chopped
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- Add the poha to a colander and wash a couple of times.
- Sprinkle a bit more water and set aside the poha for 10 minutes.
- Add turmeric powder, sugar and salt and mix the poha well.
- Mix this well with a fork and add it into a steamer basket.
- Steam the poha for 10 minutes.
- Set a wok on medium heat add the oil.
- As the oil heats up add fennel seeds and mustard seeds.
- Once the mustard seeds crackle add the green chilli and ginger and saute well.
- Add the steamed poha and mix well.
- Remove a portion of the poha on a plate and sprinkle with jeeravan masala.
- Top with sev, onions, pomegranate arils, coriander leaves and sev
- Serve immedie
Stay connected
While you are exploring flavours from Indore, don’t forget to try Kopra patties. They are the perfect teatime snack. We have added this recipe to the current Shh cooking Challenge, a street food collection by Preethi. Watch out for our facebook update of the whole collection so you can try out a variety that we put forward.
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I enjoyed Indori Poha ages ago. Thanks to you I have an authentic recipe. I did not know about steaming the poha. That will make the poha extra soft. Will make some imemdiately.
Gujarati style poha is khatta meetha but I am sure the special spice mixture jeeravan makes Indori poha taste so different. I had no idea that the rice flakes are steamed. Next time I make poha for breakfast will be going the Indori way.
I have tried Indori poha and they are so delicious. Such a simple and yet filling dish. Tastes best with sev and pomegranate seeds.
This is on my list since ages, but yet to make it. Now you gave me the proper recipe. I would love to try soon.
We love poha in our home and we always make Kanda poha. The sweet and tangy flavors in this Indori poha sounds yummy and we would love to try this.
Khatta meeta Indori Poha looks irresistible. Love this yummy and simple street food. We love this poha at home .
Indori poha is indeed very flavorful and lipsmacking especially the use of the spl jeeravan masala. The topping of farsan over the poha takes it to another level of gastronomic delight .
I love Indori Poha, with the fresh Jeeravan Masala adding a special touch to it. You have aced the recipe! Love those ruby-red pomegranate arils and how fluffy the poha looks.
Love this khatta meetha poha from Indore. QUite easy to prepare and delightfully flavourful.