‘Batata Poha‘ is a simple yet flavourful Indian breakfast recipe. It is very popular snack item from two Indian states – Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Both states have their unique recipe and I am going to share my ‘Maharashtrian style batata poha‘ version in this post.

Poha is prepared using rice (thus also known as flattened rice) and it doesn’t require too much cooking time. You can find 3 types of poha in stores – thin, medium and thick. Thin poha easily turns soggy once cooked while thick poha will be little hard even after cooking which makes medium poha perfect for this recipe. Thus we are using same, medium variety to make poha.

Recipe is super simple and can be ready in no time. Potatoes are called as ‘batata’ in our regional language and same is used in the recipe (that’s why called as batata poha). Sliced potatoes and onions are cooked in the tempering of mustard and cumin seeds along with fresh curry leaves and chillies. Soaked poha tossed into this flavourful tempering, to absorb all flavours. Thus recipe has got mild spiciness from fried chillies while bit of sweetness from potatoes & onions .

Batata Poha is generally served for breakfast along with Tea or Coffee but can be enjoyed as evening snacks too. Then let’s check step by step recipe !!

Ingredients:

1 cup of medium Poha

1 small onion

1 medium potato

1 tbsp oil

Handful of fresh curry leaves

1-2 green chillies

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1/2 tsp sugar

Fresh coriander leaves

Salt as per taste

Water as required

Method:

Peel off and thinly slice the potato. Soak them into water so that it won’t turn black.

Next, finely chop the onion and slice green chillies.

Wash poha thoroughly and drain off any extra water. Do not soak poha into the water, else it will turn soggy.

Heat oil into shallow pan on high heat.

Once oil is hot, first add mustard seeds and then cumin seeds. Let them sizzle for few seconds and then add curry leaves along with green chillies.

Add chopped onions into the pan and stir it well.

Drain off water from potatoes and add them into the pan. Gently mix everything together.

Season with salt, cover the lid. Turn heat to medium and let it cook for 5 minutes.

Remove the lid, deglaze the pan with few drops water (only if required). Add turmeric powder and mix gently.

Cover it again and cook until potatoes are done. Pierce potatoes with fork and it should easily go through.

Tip in washed and drained poha into the pan. Mix everything together, if liked then add pinch of turmeric powder.

Turn heat to low and cover with lid. Simmer it for another 5 minutes or so.

Finally, tip in pinch of sugar along with finely chopped coriander.

Mix mix mix and let it simmer just for couple of minutes.

Taste test and add salt if required. Finally drizzle some lemon juice and more coriander leaves if you fancy it !!

Our delectable batata poha is ready to serve. Hot cup of tea along with poha makes a perfect combo !!

If you like to try variations then skip potatoes; instead add green peas or peanuts. Some people also like to add tomatoes along with onions.

Also, try it with thin (also known as nylon) sev or freshly grated coconut over the top. Any combination you try, it tastes amazing 🙂

I hope you enjoyed this recipe and would love to try it. As always, thanks for stopping by and reading this post. Do checkout my other recipes as well and let me know in case of any feedback.

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Recipe