Kanda Poha Recipe

How to make Kanda Poha | Onion Poha | Kande Batate Pohe | Kande Pohe Recipe

Kanda Poha is a very famous breakfast and tea time savory snack dish in Maharashtra. Kanda is a Marathi word which means onion and Poha means flattened rice flakes (also called as beaten rice). 

Poha is a staple breakfast dish not just in Maharashtra but all over India. Even in Madhya Pradesh, especially in Ujjain, Indore and Bhopal piping hot poha is a very famous street food.

Did you know that in Maharashtra, at the time of bride viewing ceremony and Sakharpura ceremony (verbal confirmation of the marriage) Kande Pohe is like must have snack with tea. Chaha Pohe is like a match made in Heaven and this combination is practiced as a ritual in many parts of India. Wow, sounds interesting, isn't it! 

Before moving ahead with this recipe some important points 

✔We need thick poha for this recipe.. Poha should be nicely washed and soaked for a minute or two and then we need to keep it in a colander for at least 12-15 minutes.. 

✔I believe these ingredients are must for the awesomely delicious Poha recipe and can never be skipped. Lemon juice, Peanuts, fennel seeds, green chilies and garnish of sev, alu bhujia or mixed farsan.

✔Another addition which I had explored and very much loved in this recipe is the use of 1-2 tsp sugar and 1tbsp lemon juice at the time of cooking... These two are like secret ingredients and work great in this recipe ...

Let's get started 

☑Recipe details 

◽Preparation time 5-7 minutes 

◽Cooking time 15-20 minutes 

◽Servings 2

◽Cuisine Indian 

☑Ingredients required 

✔1 cup poha (medium thick)

✔1 onion - finely chopped 

✔1 potato - cut into small cubes

✔1-2 tbsp peanuts 

✔½ tsp fennel seeds

✔½ tsp cumin seeds

✔1 tsp mustard seeds

✔½ tsp coriander seeds

✔5-6 curry leaves

✔2-3 green chillies or as per taste

✔1 tsp turmeric powder

✔½ tsp red chilli powder (optional) 

✔1 tsp sugar

✔1 lemon 

✔2-3 tbsp cooking oil

✔2 tbsp coriander leaves

✔½ tomato - cut into small cubes for garnish

✔Sev or mixed farsan for garnish

☑Method 

✔Step 1 Mise en place

◾Poha - Nicely washed - soak it for a minute or two - drain the water and let it rest for 10-12 minutes.

◾Onion - peeled and finely chopped 

◾Potatoes - washed - peeled - cut into small cubes.

◾Green chillies - washed and finely chopped.

◾Peanuts - heat oil in a fry pan fry till golden brown in color and keep it aside until called for. OR You can skip this step and use roasted peanuts. Stick with whichever option suits you the most..

✔Step 2 Cooking time

◾Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed or non stick pan.. Add cumin seeds, fennel seeds and mustard seeds. Leave it to splutter.

◾Add curry leaves, green chilies and onions and stir fry on high flame for 2-3 minutes.

◾cook till onion becomes translucent...

◾add potato, mix it well.

◾Cover and cook it on a slow flame for 3-5 minutes till potatoes are soft. Stir occasionally, If need added ¼ cup water.

◾Add sugar and 1 tbsp lemon juice mix it well.

◾Add all the dry ingredients i.e. turmeric powder, red chilli powder and salt to taste. Give it a stir and combine it well.

◾Add poha, mix it gently and turn heat to low flame, cover and cook it for 3-5 minutes until done.

◾Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves and mixed farsan. Serve it with hot cup of masala tea or adark wali chai.