Lemon Poha Recipe

Lemon Poha is a flavourful one pot dish that can be made easily and quickly. It is made by cooking poha with tempered herbs, spices and lemon juice. Lemon poha serves as a snack and as well as a meal for lunchbox and dinner. Lemon flavour in poha is so good, do give it a try!

Lemon Aval / Lemon Poha has become my recent favorite especially when the tummy kicks in for the evening tea time snack. It is very quick to put together and you need not wait too long, flavourful and yummy upma ready in minutes, what else do you want?

About Lemon Poha

Lemon Poha is simple and easy to make, it is nothing but stir fried poha with lemon flavour. Lemon aval as we call it in tamil takes less than 20 minutes to put together. It is easy, quick to make, healthy and light on the tummy. You can serve this for kids as evening after school snack too.

When you are pressed for time and run out of dosa batter then poha comes to rescue.I always love lemon flavour for its tanginess like lemon rice, lemon sevai etc and now this has been added to the list too.

It is perfect for bachelors and beginners in cooking as it is very simple to make. Coconut poha, puli aval and lemon poha are my favourites. Whenever I feel bored to cook for just myself I end up making poha for lunch.

You can use any variety of poha as you wish but I prefer the thick variety as it is less sticky, though taste wise not much of difference. I love the thin variety for aval urundai and aval payasam. When I was puzzled of what to pack for last week, this lemon poha came to my rescue and yes I agree posting here was in my mind too.

Lemon Aval Video

Similar Recipes

• Aval upma
• Dahi poha
• Poha stir fry
• Poha cutlet
• Aval kozhukattai

Lemon Poha Ingredients

• Poha - Use thick or thin poha soak in water accordingly. Thick poha does not become easily mushy so I always use that.
• Oil - You can use any cooking oil, sesame oil will taste great too.
• Mustard seeds - is added to oil and let it splutter completely.
• Urad dal, Chana dal - is added after mustard seeds crackles. Dals add crunch to the lemon aval so do not skip. You can add little more if you like more crunchy.
• Peanuts - is fried until crisp and added. You can replace it with cashewnuts too.
• Curry leaves - is added while tempering other items, adds flavour.
• Chillies - I have used both red chillies and green chilli for spice and taste.
• Hing - is added for flavour and aids in digestion.
• Turmeric powder - is added for colour, flavour and taste.
• Lemon - Use lemon juice after the tempering.
• Salt - to balance the taste and flavours.
• Water - to rinse and cook poha.

How to make Lemon Poha Step by Step

1. Rinse 1 cup thick poha well at least 2-3 minutes. Drain water completely, add salt to taste. Toss well and set aside.

2.Heat 1 tablespoon oil - add peanuts fry until golden brown, remove from pan and set aside.

3.Add ½ teaspoon mustard seeds, let it splutter.

4.Add ½ teaspoon urad dal, ½ teaspoon chana dal, 2 small red chillies, 1 green chilli, ⅛ teaspoon hing and ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder. Give a quick saute.

5.Add around 1 tablespoon lemon juice.

6.Give a quick mix.

7.Add drained poha, fried peanuts.

8.Mix well.

9.Sprinkle around ¼ cup water.

10.Pat it well.

11.Cook covered for 3-5 minutes.

12.Fluff it gently.

Lemon aval is ready!

Expert Tips

• Poha - Choose thick or thin poha but rinse and soak accordingly. I usually don't soak most of the times just rinse well and use it. Finally sprinkle little water and cook covered for making it soft and not too dry.
• Lemon juice - Use fresh lemon juice add at the end of tempering and make sure to lower the flame before adding. Do not cook for more time after lemon juice is added as there are chances for it to become bitter.
• Adding turmeric powder - Do not add more as it might overpower lemon flavour.
• Sprinkling water - Sprinkle water to make poha soft. This step is optional, you can skip it if you like it dry and grain separated. Do not add more water as it might make poha mushy.
• Snacks / Lunchbox - This upma is ideal to pack for kids snack box or lunch box too.
• Fluff gently - After cooking covered for few minutes, open and fluff gently.

Serving and Storage

Lemon Poha tastes great on its own, you can serve it with sev and curd too. This keeps well in fridge for 2 days.

FAQS

1. Which type of poha is best for lemon poha?

Thick poha is the best choice because it stays fluffy after rinsing and doesn't become mushy. I always use thick poha for upma varieties.

2.How do I keep the poha soft and fluffy?

Rinse briefly to make poha soft. Mix gently while cooking.

3.Can I use bottled lemon juice?

Fresh lemon juice is recommended because it provides a brighter, fresher flavour. Bottled lemon juice may taste more acidic so I would not recommend adding it.

If you have any more questions about this Lemon Poha do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .

Tried this Lemon Poha? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.

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Lemon Poha Recipe (Lemon Aval)

Lemon Poha is a flavourful one pot dish that can be made easily and quickly. It is made by cooking poha with tempered herbs, spices and lemon juice. Lemon poha serves as a snack and as well as a meal for lunchbox and dinner. Lemon flavour in poha is so good, do give it a try!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Servings2

AuthorSharmilee J

Ingredients

• 1 cup thick poha
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon peanuts
• salt to taste
• water as needed

To temper

• 1 tablespoon oil
• ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
• ½ teaspoon urad dal
• ½ teaspoon chana dal
• 1 small sprig curry leaves
• 2 small red chillies
• 1 green chilli
• ⅛ teaspoon hing
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder

Instructions

• Rinse 1 cup thick poha well at least 2-3 minutes. Drain water completely, add salt to taste. Toss well and set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil - add peanuts fry until golden brown, remove from pan and set aside.
• Add ½ teaspoon mustard seeds, let it splutter.
• Add ½ teaspoon urad dal, ½ teaspoon chana dal, 2 small red chillies, 1 green chilli, ⅛ teaspoon hing and ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder. Give a quick saute.
• Add around 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
• Add drained poha, fried peanuts.
• Mix well.
• Sprinkle around ¼ cup water.
• Pat it well.
• Cook covered for 3-5 minutes.
• Fluff it gently.
• Lemon aval is ready!

Video

Notes

• Poha - Choose thick or thin poha but rinse and soak accordingly. I usually don't soak most of the times just rinse well and use it. Finally sprinkle little water and cook covered for making it soft and not too dry.
• Lemon juice - Use fresh lemon juice add at the end of tempering and make sure to lower the flame before adding.
• Adding turmeric powder - Do not add more as it might overpower lemon flavour.
• Sprinkling water - Sprinkle water to make poha soft. This step is optional, you can skip it if you like it dry and grain separated. Do not add more water as it might make poha mushy.
• Snacks / Lunchbox - This upma is ideal to pack for kids snack box or lunch box too.
• Fluff gently - After cooking covered for few minutes, open and fluff gently.

Nutrition Facts

Lemon Poha Recipe (Lemon Aval)

Amount Per Serving (125 g)

Calories 468 Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Fat 11g17%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Trans Fat 0.03g

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 6g

Sodium 124mg5%

Potassium 309mg9%

Carbohydrates 83g28%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 10g20%

Vitamin A 467IU9%

Vitamin C 90mg109%

Calcium 49mg5%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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