Looking for a light, tasty, and nutritious breakfast that your kids will love? Vegetable Poha is a colorful, fluffy dish made with flattened rice, veggies, and mild spices – perfect for school mornings or lazy weekends. It’s quick, healthy, and super easy to make. Let’s jump right in!

🧑‍🍳 Total Time: 17 minutes

  • Prep Time: 5–6 minutes

  • Cook Time: 10–11 minutes

  • Serves: 2–3 children

🥣 Ingredients List

IngredientQuantity
Poha (flattened rice)1½ cups (medium/thick)
Onion (finely chopped)1 small
Green peas (boiled)½ cup
Carrot (grated)¼ cup
Capsicum (chopped)¼ cup
Potato (optional)1 small, finely chopped
Green chili (optional)1–2, finely chopped
Mustard seeds½ tsp
Curry leaves8–10
Raw peanuts2 tbsp
Turmeric powder¼ tsp
SaltTo taste
Lemon juice1 tbsp
Oil2 tbsp
Coriander leaves2 tbsp (chopped)

🔪 Preparation Steps with Timings

⏱️ Step 1: Rinse & Prep Poha (3 min)

  1. Rinse poha in a sieve or colander under gentle running water for 20–30 seconds.

  2. Leave it to drain for about 2 minutes – it should become soft but not mushy.

  3. Sprinkle turmeric powder (¼ tsp) and salt (just a pinch) directly onto the soaked poha.

  4. Mix lightly with fingers or fork and keep it aside.

📌 Tip: Do not soak poha too long or it’ll become sticky.

⏱️ Step 2: Fry Peanuts & Tempering (2.5 min)

  1. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a wide non-stick pan or kadhai over medium flame.

  2. Add ½ tsp mustard seeds and let them crackle (~30 sec).

  3. Add 2 tbsp peanuts and roast until golden brown (~1.5 min).

  4. Add 8–10 curry leaves and green chilies (if using), sauté for 30 seconds.

⏱️ Step 3: Cook Vegetables (4–5 min)

  1. Add 1 chopped onion, sauté for 1.5 minutes until translucent.

  2. Add 1 chopped potato (if using) and cook until slightly soft (2 min).

  3. Add ¼ cup grated carrot and ¼ cup chopped capsicum.

  4. Stir and sauté for another 1–1.5 minutes. The veggies should retain slight crunch.

⏱️ Step 4: Add Poha & Steam (3–4 min)

  1. Add the prepared poha to the pan.

  2. Mix very gently so the poha doesn’t break. Ensure everything is well combined.

  3. Add ½ cup boiled peas and fold them in.

  4. Cover with lid and steam on low flame for 2.5 to 3 minutes.

⏱️ Step 5: Finish with Flavor (1.5 min)

  1. Turn off the heat.

  2. Add 1 tbsp lemon juice and mix lightly.

  3. Garnish with 2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves.

🍽️ Serving Time!

  • Serve hot with a wedge of lemon and a side of curd, boiled egg, or banana slices.

  • Pack in a school tiffin box – it stays fluffy even after a few hours.

📊 Timing Recap Chart

StepTask DescriptionTime
Rinse & prepare pohaWashing, softening, seasoning3 min
TemperingMustard, peanuts, curry leaves, chilies2.5 min
Cooking vegetablesOnion, potato, carrot, capsicum sautéing4–5 min
Adding & steaming pohaCombine & cook poha with peas3 min
Final garnish & mixLemon juice + coriander leaves1.5 min
Total Time ~17 min

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