Red Rice Poha With Vegetables

Credit: Indian Vegan Cookbook

Ingredients

• 150 gms (1½ cups) red rice/white rice poha
• 1 large onion
• 1 small carrot (50-70 gms)
• 20-25 French beans (75-80gms) or ½ cup green peas
• 1 small potato (100 gms)
• ½ tsp mustard seeds
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• ¼ tsp asafoetida
• ¼ tsp turmeric
• 2-3 sprigs of fresh curry leaves
• 2-4 chillies depending on the degree of heat
• A handful of fresh coriander
• 1-2 limes
• ½ cup of fresh coconut grated (optional)
• ½ cup or a small handful roasted peanuts (optional)
• 2 tbsp groundnut oil
• 1½ tsp salt or as per taste

Method

1. Dry roast peanuts on medium heat till they change colour lightly and lose their raw flavour.
2. Peel and chop onions. Chop carrot, beans, potato, and green chillies finely. There is no need to peel the potato or carrot.
3. Wash the red rice poha very lightly in a pot of water and drain in a colander immediately. Leave aside in the colander. It will become 2 cups when soaked and allowed to rest.
4. Heat oil in a deep iron kadai (wok) or a thick bottom steel pot and add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Once they splutter add curry leaves, green chillies, and onions and fry till the onions are translucent and light golden in colour.
5. Add asafoetida, turmeric, vegetables, and salt, adding a little water if necessary, and cook until they are almost done. This should not take no more than five minutes as all the vegetables have been chopped finely.
6. Add poha, mix and cook covered with lid for 2 minutes on low to medium heat.
7. Add chopped coriander, mix and serve garnished with peanuts or coconut or both and a piece of lemon on the side.