Alu Poha / Pohe

This is a very typical Maharashtrian snack/breakfast that is healthy and yummy. It is made from poha which is essentially flattened rice. Health freaks can also make this with brown poha which is high in fiber and olive oil and can skip the potato. This can also be relished with roasted peanuts and a raw green chilli for those who enjoy spice. I sometimes add ginger in the tadka but that is optional too. I do not have a pic for this yet simply because I never thought of posting this recipe assuming that it is something everyone would already know. This recipe is in response to a request from a special friend who remembers my mom making it and would love to have the recipe...;)...Good luck Vinitha!

Ingredients:

1. Thick poha - 2 cups
2. Potato - 1 big or 2 small ones - Diced into thin slices about 1 inch long
   
3. Onion - 1 small one - finely diced into slices - not chopped
4. Ginger - 1 tsp chopped (optional)
   
5. Tomato - 1 - chopped
   
6. Vegetable oil - 1 tbsp
7. Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
8. Jeera - 1 tsp
9. Green chillies - 2/3 finely chopped
10. Curry leaves - 5/6
11. Lemon - 1
12. Salt
13. Turmeric - 1/4th tsp
14. Cilantro - 2 tbsps finely chopped
    

Directions:

1. Wash the poha in water and keep aside. Make sure you drain the excess water
   
2. Heat oil and to it add the mustard seeds, jeera, turmeric, green chillies and curry leaves and let the mustard seeds sputter.
3. Add the oinions and saute until golden brown.
4. Saute the potato until soft and cooked.
5. Add in the tomato and saute until cooked.
6. Now add in the poha, which should be soft by now and salt and mix well.
   
7. Let this steam until the smell of raw poha goes away.
   
8. Sprinkle lemon juice, garnish with cilantro and enjoy hot!