"मग काय ? आज कांदे - पोहे का?" my Mother asked somebody on the other end of the telephone line. I sighed to myself. Why do all Mother's make such a big deal out of this? and WHY? the code language?
कांदे - पोहे (Kande-pohe) is the code for the 'arranged marriage' scenario. Typically, the boy, comes to meet the girl at her house, both are well dressed, the house is spotless, the best china is brought out. The girl and boy meet, talk, hesitantly, then the mother calls her dear daughter to take a tray out to the guests, laden with snacks, typically, कांदे - पोहे ( Kande-pohe), and follows with water glasses. Over the first few spoonfuls, the Mother elaborates that her daughter has made the snack, like she always does. She is so fond of cooking, gushes the Mother, goes on to add a long list of things her daughter does so well! Awkward!
The program concludes and both parties are left to discuss the details of the meeting and decide, the future.
Times have changed, the boy and girl meet outside and discuss what they expect of one another, but the term कांदे - पोहे still means the same thing!
Apart from being the code word for a 'program', kande pohe is a regular on the breakfast table and many a times, in the lunch box. Best served hot, these still are a filling option otherwise. Today, we add in vegetables, to up the nutritive value and also enhance taste.
But first, let's see how to go about it,shall we?
Step one: pick the right variety of Poha/ Pohe.
You need to know that there are 3 basic varieties. super thick, medium thick & thin.
We use the medium or super thick for 'cooked' poha/ pohe. I know of a certain girl, who fell in love with poha and attempted it at home for the first time, with thin poha. I leave the rest to your imagination! (if you still haven't guessed, read the recipe below and you will understand).
Going back to Poha.
Thick ( super thick or medium thick) is the one we use to make this dish. It requires soaking.
Thin poha is used to make Chivda or Dadpe Pohe
In this recipe, I have used Super thick Poha, also called Dagadi Poha. This variety requires a longer soaking time than the medium thick variety and is a bit more 'chewy, than regular medium- thick poha.
Now that we have step one well understood, let's move on.
To make Pohe for 2 people, you need:
1/2 Cup of Thick / Dagadi Pohe
1/2 Onion, chopped
1 Small Potato, cubed( place the cubes in water to prevent browning)
1/4 cup or a little less, Green Peas ( I use frozen peas)
1/2 (slender) Carrot, cut in cubes
1-2 Green chilies, chopped
Few curry leaves
Salt to taste
1 tsp Sugar
1 Lime ( squeeze the juice or quarter and serve with pohe)
2-3 Tbsp. Cilantro, finely chopped, to garnish
1-2 Tbsp. Fresh or thawed, grated Coconut, to garnish
Wash in running water and Soak Poha( medium thick) in water for at least15 mins. If using super thick / Dagadi Poha, soak longer or add water ( level of water just above the poha) and microwave for 1 minute and set aside for 15 mins.
Heat oil in a wok over medium high heat.
Add the mustard seeds. Once the seeds pop, add in the cumin seed. These should sizzle on contact with hot oil.
Add asafetida, chopped green chilies and curry leaves.Mix well.
Add chopped onion and mix. Cover and cook for a couple of minutes till half done. Add the potato cubes sprinkle salt and cover. Cook till onion is lightly browned and fully cooked and potatoes are fork tender.
While the onion and potatoes are cooking over heat, in a microwave safe ( preferably glass) container, add the washed, frozen peas and cubed carrot pieces, add 2-3 tbsp water and microwave oh high for 1 minute.
Add the peas and carrots to the onion-potato mixture, add turmeric, mix well.
Add the soaked Poha, sprinkle 1 tsp sugar, mix well. cover and cook for 3-4 minutes on medium heat.
Check for salt, add more if required and cover and cook for another minute or two.
Switch off heat, add lime juice and mix well.. Spoon the pohe in plates/ bowls, garnish with cilantro and coconut.
Serve.
NOTES:
You can make pohe using just onions or onion- potato combination.
To add a bit of crunch, add raw peanuts to the tempering stage, that is before adding onions and saute till golden brown.
Add lime juice after switching off the heat or alternatively, serve pohe with a wedge of lime, to be squeezed if needed.
Poha is very filling and also carbs, addition of vegetables helps to tilt the scale towards nutrition slightly!
If you like, sprinkle some sev/ shev on top just before serving.
I found these cute 'Funtensils' and they are great for kids. I kinds like them myself ;). Just wanted to share this for Mommies here, maybe your little one would like them too.
That's it for now! Enjoy your weekend.
