Vegetable Poha is a healthy and filling Gluten Free Vegan Breakfast or brunch dish made with flattened rice and lots of veggies. Perfect for lunchboxes too!
Poha and its variants are welcome anytime at home. For the elder one, she prefers Poha over Idli / Dosa for breakfast. At home, we prefer hot breakfasts over cold cereal + milk any day. I guess it’s a personal preference (or covenience), but we have been accustomed to warm / hot / cooked breakfast over the years, and this vegetable poha tops the breakfast list and so, once a week, there is poha in some form at the breakfast table, accompanied with cut fruits or a vegan smoothie for a complete meal.
Today, let’s look at Vegetable Poha or flattened rice with satueeed veggies for a quick filling Vegan and GF breakfast (it tastes great even for lunch so its an option for kids’ lunchbox too!). You can skip all veggies and just add potato and Onion for Batatyachi Pohe (potato based poha), but this veggie-loaded pohe at our house wins all our hearts!
Tips and Tricks to make the best Vegetable Poha
- What kind of Flattened rice / Poha can I use here? Only thick variety will work here. It can also be basmati poha (which is available in few supermarkets)
- What all veggies can be added here? Any veggies of your choice (peas, carrots, beans, potato, bell peppers work best) along with onions and tomatoes. I have even made poha with Zucchini
- How long do I need to soak the Poha / flattened rice here? Soak for just 1-2 mins in normal, filtered tap water. Then drain in a colander and keep covered till use.
- I wasn’t able to use the soaked poha immediately for the dish. Can I use it up later? Certainly, store in an airtight container in the fridge. Thaw and microwave / steam poha slightly before use.
- The Poha became too dry or too mushy upon cooking. What could have gone wrong? The quality / thickness of the poha varies from brand to brand. Again, it depends on the soak time as well.
If you are a poha lover like us, do check out the following varieties on the blog !
The Mosaru Avalakki (Curd poha) is usually made for Janmashtami, while the Karnataka style Gojju Avalakki (tamarind + spiced poha) is made for a quick evening snack. The vangi Poha (poha with brinjals/ aubegines) is a personal favourite, while the spouse loves his Indori Poha
Ingredients to make vegetable poha:
Prep time: 15 minutes, cook time – 10 mins, Serves – 3 generously
Cuisine – Indian ; Course – Breakfast / snack
Here 1 cup = 200 ml
- 1.25 cups flattened rice (Thick variety Poha)
- 2 TBSP Oil
- 1 Potato (large, or 2 medium, peeled and cubed)
- 1/2 cup Mixed veggies ( I used minced carrots+ french beans, peas – blanched)
- 2 Onion (minced fine)
- 1 tomato (large, diced)
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds (jeera)
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/3 tsp asafoetida (Hing ,skip for GF version)
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 1/4 cup peanuts (skip for nut allergy)
- 6 green chillies ( adjust spice, minced)
- 1 TBSP coriander leaves (chopped)
- 2 tsp Lemon juice
PIN FOR LATER
How to make Vegetable Poha:
- Wash the poha in a colander of all dirt and drain.
- Sprinkle little water and cover and keep.
- While the poha is soaking, roast the peanuts (dry or with 1/2 tsp of oil till crispy and golden brown and keep aside).
- Also, cube the potato (with or without skin), boil it in salted water along with other veggies till al dente. Drain.
- In a non stick pan or thick iron pan, heat the oil. Splutter the cumin seeds, mustard seeds, hing, curry leaves and chopped green chillies. Add the turmeric, onions and saute till onions turn translucent.
- Add the tomatoes, bell peppers and saute till soft.
- Now add the boiled veggies and saute for further 2-3 mins.
- Now add the soaked poha and gently toss till the poha is coated well.
- Cover and cook for 1 min.
- Finish with lemon juice and roasted peanuts + fresh coriander.
- Serve hot.
- If packing for lunch box, you may keep the roasted peanuts and lemon wedge separately so they can be added before eating.
Vegetable Poha | Vegan and GF Quick breakfast
Equipment
- Thick Bottomed Pan
- Knife and Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 1.25 cups flattened rice Thick variety Poha
- 2 TBSP Oil
- 1 Potato large, or 2 medium, peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup Mixed veggies I used minced carrots+ french beans, peas – blanched
- 2 Onion minced fine
- 1 tomato large, diced
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds jeera
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/3 tsp asafoetida Hing ,skip for GF version
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 1/4 cup peanuts skip for nut allergy
- 6 green chillies adjust spice, minced
- 1 TBSP coriander leaves chopped
- 2 tsp Lemon juice
Instructions
- Wash the poha in a colander of all dirt and drain.
- Sprinkle little water and cover and keep.
- While the poha is soaking, roast the peanuts (dry or with 1/2 tsp of oil till crispy and golden brown and keep aside).
- Also, cube the potato (with or without skin), boil it in salted water along with other veggies till al dente. Drain.
- In a non stick pan or thick iron pan, heat the oil. Splutter the cumin seeds, mustard seeds, hing, curry leaves and chopped green chillies. Add the turmeric, onions and saute till onions turn translucent.
- Add the tomatoes, bell peppers and saute till soft.
- Now add the boiled veggies and saute for further 2-3 mins.
- Now add the soaked poha and gently toss till the poha is coated well.
- Cover and cook for 1 min.
- Finish with lemon juice and roasted peanuts + fresh coriander.
- Serve hot.
- If packing for lunch box, you may keep the roasted peanuts and lemon wedge separately so they can be added before eating.
Video
Notes
Tips and Tricks to make the best Vegetable Poha
- What kind of Flattened rice / Poha can I use here? Only thick variety will work here. It can also be basmati poha (which is available in few supermarkets)
- What all veggies can be added here? Any veggies of your choice (peas, carrots, beans, potato, bell peppers work best) along with onions and tomatoes. I have even made poha with Zucchini
- How long do I need to soak the Poha / flattened rice here? Soak for just 1-2 mins in normal, filtered tap water. Then drain in a colander and keep covered till use.
- I wasn’t able to use the soaked poha immediately for the dish. Can I use it up later? Certainly, store in an airtight container in the fridge. Thaw and microwave / steam poha slightly before use.
- The Poha became too dry or too mushy upon cooking. What could have gone wrong? The quality / thickness of the poha varies from brand to brand. Again, it depends on the soak time as well.
I can have a plate of this poha without any fuss, my kind of breakfast/dinner. Its been a while i prepared this batatyachi poha.
Poha is something I don't cook that ofter, though it is very common at both my parents and in-laws place. Addition of potato makes poha even more filling.
Wish my kids were the same…while I love this, so I can make it just for myself anytime..:)..
Super! I can have poha in any form at any time. My all time fav. I am enjoying the variations of poha this week!
Poha is always welcome at our home… I love adding other veggies too. Your preparation looks really delicious with addition of chopped onions on top.
I have such fond memories of Pradnya making this for breakfast when I was there – awww you brought me back to the great time I had there in Mumbai with you girls!
I love poha and this is so perfect for breakfast. Most of the times, I make this for dinner as well. looks so tempting!
Batata poha is our favorite breakfast dish on some days. Love it with a cup of tea.
poha is our one of the breakfasts items at home. A complete and perfect meal in itself. clicks are beautiful.
Wow, kalyani, that is so colorful! we love poha, it is mostly our weekend breakfast! i love this potato poha, with loads of roasted peanuts and coriander!!! Your last pic is so tempting and making me hungrrry!!
I like this light breakfast. Chopped onion and peanuts on the top have made it all the more attractive
Perfect comfort food for any day, lovely pics and presentation Kal..