I and my husband were born to the Families that prepare Pohe every other day.When it comes for brakefast or Family function,the very first thing come in mind is POHE.Not only that,Pohe has its own history and importance when comes to arranging marriages.Yes!!!!Couples used to say,sepecially,elderly, "
Aamcha Pohyacha Kaaryakram jhaala tevha."(This is in Marathi Language) which literally means "When we(my and my spouse's family) had program of eating Pohe together".This is to indicate that the person when he/she first met his/her spouse.Of course along with Families as it mostly used to be arranged marriage and Pohe was a fixed and authentic menu in that case.Ask any Maharashtrian family,you will get to hear this.Now,I do not think there anything left to know about how important is Pohe in ou lives!!!
Just like them,we too love Pohe from bottom of our hearts.No matter what Cuisine we eat,eating Pohe has its own importance in our life.Ans so is the case for many many people.
Now,it is needless to say that most of us try to have a good balanced diet and Rice and it's products are big no no.But having eaten a food since childhood and which very dear not only to tongue but soul,it becomes really really hard to give up all of a sudden.I would say,we remain in denial stage in that case.And same thing happens with me and my husband.
So this is my small effort to help ourselves and you all keep the balance in diet and yet satisfy out taste buds and make our soul delighted.
I have used ONE CUP of Pohe which can be easily prepared for 4 people and yet will have the same satisfaction as regular portion of Pohe.
Also, I would like say one thing here,POHA is technically right word but when it is single grain.So POHE is appropriate.Just like CHANAA and CHANE :D
INGREDIENTS:
- Thick Pohe - 1 Cup
- OIl - 3 Tbsp
- Medium Size Onion - 1,Chopped
- Bell Pepper or Capsicum - 1,Chopped
- Mashrooms - 10, Chopped
- TADKA - Mustard Seeds (raai),Cumin Seedss(Jeera), and Tumeric Powder(Haldi) 1 Tsp each and Asafoetida,1/2 Tsp
- Peanuts
- Sugar - 1 Tsp (Optional)
- Salt for Taste
- Lime Juice - 1 Tbsp
- GARNISHING - Coconut,14 Cup and Cilantro,chopped,Shev or Bhujia
STEPS:
- SOAKING POHE - In a Colander, wash pohe gently and keep aside to let water drain out.Do this after you add vegitables in oil, so that Pohe wont be too soggy.Do not ever do it in the first place.
- In a shallow pan or Kadhai,add Oil and let it heat on medium flame.
- To that add Raai,Jeera and Peanuts.After they are fried well, add the vegetables and Sauté for around 1 minute make sure the oil is mixed well.
- Now add Asafoetida or Hing,Turmeric Powder and Salt to the vegetables.This way we can avoid burning of Hing and Turmeric .Now sauté again very well until smell aroma of Hing and Haldi.
- Keep stirring Vegetables until they are fried or cooked well.You can somky and crunchy texture when you don't use the lid.If you want Vegetables just like cooked and soft,you can cover with lid.
- After Vegetables are cooked,make flame the slow.Here comes the important part.I have seen many people who do this mistake.They simply add soaked Pohe to Tadka which results in lumps.He re is how you do it - by now water is all drained out.loosen the pohe gently with hands.They should literally dance when you toss them,that when they are good to go in tadka.This makes nice fluffy Pohe.
- Add Pohe to Vegetables,add Sugar and Lime juice and mix well very gentlly.Now bring the flame to medium and keep string for 2 to3 minutes.
- Close the lid and let all of it cook for3 to 5 minutes on low flame.
- Garnish with Coconut,Cilantro and Bhujia while serving and piece of Lime
TIPS:
- You can add all your favorite Vegetables.Boiled Potatoes make it 'Batata Pohe'
- I do not like Tomatoes in Pohe hence I used Lime juice.You can always add Toamtoes.
