Poha Balls: A Healthy Breakfast Idea For You
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Trying to lose weight? Then, poha is the best option for a nutritious breakfast. In addition to being a healthy source of carbs, iron and fibre and vital vitamins and antioxidants, poha constitutes a great wholesome meal, which is light and gluten free. It is an extremely versatile food item, cooked in different ways across different regions. Poha Balls is one such variant. This Udupi-style Poha Balls recipe is a unique and interesting twist to the regular poha recipes.

This breakfast recipe is supremely delicious and satiates those early morning pangs. Made from beaten rice along with semolina and other veggies, turned into tiny balls and then tempered with curry leaves, mustard and cumin seeds, this recipe is effortless and absolutely filling for the stomach. This Udupi recipe is vegetarian. 

Poha means beaten or flatten rice. It is also called chind in Bengali, atukulu in Telugu, aval in Malayalam and Tamil, avalakki in Kannada, and so on. Poha is the signature dish of Indore. It is a poor man’s meal. It is believed that Maratha warriors brought it to North India and reached throughout the nation. Poha also finds its early mentions in the Sudama-Krishna friendship fables, when the poor friend goes to meet his rich friend, relishing the memories of their youth.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup thin rice flakes
  • ½ cup semolina
  • 1 tsp green chillies, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp carrot, grated
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp curry leaves, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp coriander leaves, finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp coconut, grated

For tempering:

  • 3 tsp oil 
  • ½ tsp mustard seeds
  • ½ tsp cumin seeds
  • A few curry leaves

Method

  • In a heated saucepan, roast thin rice flakes over medium flame. 
  • Remove and transfer it into a mixer-grinder. Grind well to form a fine powder.
  • In the same pan, roast semolina. Turn off the heat.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine roasted and powdered rice flakes and semolina. 
  • Add salt, green chillies, curry leaves, carrot, and coriander leaves. Mix thoroughly with a spoon.
  • Slowly and steadily pour warm water to form a mixture. 
  • Add more water and knead to form a dough.
  • Take small portions to create poha balls. 
  • Once the balls are prepared utilising the whole concoction, place them in a steamer. 
  • Cover and steam for 5-8 minutes. Check by inserting a toothpick if the mixture is cooked completely from inside.
  • Take a saucepan and heat some oil. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and curry leaves. Allow to crackle. 
  • Add in the steamed balls along with the grated coconut. 
  • Keep stirring and tossing.
  • Place the Poha Balls in a serving dish and enjoy.