How is it November already? By the time its 5 pm, darkness looms and there’s no mood to do anything productive at all. Including packing.
Traveling lightly has to be one of the biggest challenges that I’m always facing. I’m in awe with guys who travel so lightly. Ask the Husband and he’ll agree.
It takes mere 30 minutes to do his packing, but for me, it takes a full 1 day of planning and packing, and then repacking just so I can fit everything in one tiny carry-on suitcase and a HUGE handbag.
Yeah, I’m that girl that loves a huge handbag which can fit everything that TSA allows. Or just a place where I can toss everything after struggling to close a small carry-on.
Packing day is a huge chore for me, so I almost always need a good breakfast that would keep my belly and me happy for a few hours. Because let’s face it, packing is BORING. All the more excuse to seek comfort in foods.
Poha does that to me, all the time. Chai too!
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 2 heaping cups of cooked vermicelli
- 3 tbsp cooking oil
- 1.5 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/8 tsp hing (asafoetida powder)
- 3/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 green chilies, slited
- 10 curry leaves
- 2 inch ginger, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 heaping cups of cauliflower, finely chopped
- 1 heaping cup of green beans, finely diced
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp lime juice
garnishes: 4 tbsp toasted peanuts, 4 tbsp pomegranate seeds and 4 tbsp finely minced fresh coriander leaves.
Directions:
- Prepare vermicelli as per instructions on the package and set aside to drain once cooked. Do not overcook. Allow it to be a little al-dente.
- Heat a large skillet on medium-high. Drizzle in some cooking oil and wait to heat before adding mustard seeds. Wait until seeds pop or sputter before adding hing, turmeric powder, chilies, curry leaves and minced ginger. Cook for 30 seconds before adding chopped onions.
- Cook onions until translucent. Add finely chopped cauliflower and green beans. Stir to combine and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, covered. Stir a few times in between before adding chopped carrots. Cook for 2 minutes before throwing in chopped bell peppers.
- Lower the heat to medium and sprinkle on some salt, black pepper and lime juice. Stir to combine and cook for another 2 minutes before adding cooked vermicelli.
- Stir everything to combine and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnished with toasted peanuts, pomegranate seeds and minced coriander leaves. Hot masala chai is the best accompaniment.
Off to unpack, which is another chore that is absolutely time consuming and BORING. Perhaps an excuse to fix me a plate of poha and a mug of hot chai? The mere thought of it already makes me and my belly happy 🙂
What gets you through a HATED/BORING chore?
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Only you to food style so beatifully a vermicelli pasta dish, Kiran!
Yes, I agree… Packing is boring… and unpacking is chaos –at least for me. Hehe!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You recently posted..Brazilian Chicken Pot Pie (Empadão de Frango)
Denise — awww, thanks love! packing is definitely chaos 😀
I hate both packing and unpacking too…
Dixya recently posted..Virtual Coffee Date
Dixya — gosh, don’t we all 😀
Loved the contrast in the 3rd picture!!!
Shibi — looks like someone is a huge fan of moody food styling. thanks dear 🙂
I traveled every week for 4+ years for work. Often this included weekly overseas trips, so I’m kind of a pro to pack/unpack for business trips. Now, pleasure trips, they are totally a different story. Love the sound of this poha.
Lail | With A Spin recently posted..Candied Pumpkin – Mishti Kumrar Morobba
Lail — you have a patience of steel my friend 🙂
Scrumptious! That is something I’d love to try making.
Cheers,
Rosa
Rosa — thanks and you must try this recipe 🙂
What a great dish! Full of flavor, and just gorgeous looking. Great photos. And I agree packing is the pits. Not a fun thing to do at all.
John@Kitchen Riffs recently posted..The Harvest Moon Cocktail
Thanks John!
Ma often makes poha with just normal rice, we have never tried it with vermicelli! It looks lighter and has a beautiful colour to it 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..CCU Undercover: Rise & Dine w/ Bill Granger
Tell Ma to make it with vermicelli this time. It’s a game-changer 🙂 xo
You are just like my mom! I pack quickly…but I always end up leaving things at home that I later need. This is such a gorgeous dish. I want a big bowl in front of me now.
Monet recently posted..Apple Pie Cookies
It looks so appetizing and beautiful, Kiran.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Spiced Apple Hazelnut Bread with Einkorn and Spelt
Kiran your photos are gorgeous! I cannot stand unpacking – even though I am a light packer to begin with! This “poha” sounds comforting!
I am with you about packing. Packing lightly is the challenge.
I am getting better for at least for trips up to 3 or 4 days. Gosh this dish is full of splendid ingredients and spices. So many veggies that I wouldn’t fill guilty about the noodles.
Carol at Wild Goose Tea recently posted..Wild Goose Food for Thought #1
Mmmm – this sounds so delicious!!
sharana @ Living The Sweet Life Blog recently posted..Cinnamon toast Crunch Oatmeal raisin cookies
Fantastic Vermicelli and the garnish gives a wonderful touch of extra flavor.
Packing light is still a challenge for me 🙂
Daniela recently posted..Bogota-Colombia’s Vibrant Capital
I learnt how to pack light in time. Now I am very good, if I might say so 🙂 Your Poha looks great!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ recently posted..Homemade Soft Potato Gnocchi
I could really go some of this right now – it looks amazing! And I hate packing also – so afraid I’ll forget something that I really need!
Donalyn@TheCreeksideCook recently posted..Southwest Cornbread Dressing
it is kind of reminiscent of our version of jambalaya or dirty rice without the rice of course. I am loving all the flavors up in here. It looks divine
Kitchen Belleicious recently posted..Roasted Acorn Squash with Jalapeno Butter and Brown Sugar
the 3rd picture is beautiful! Pinning! I love poha, it’s one of favorite breakfast and I make it all the time! yours look great!
Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted..Ginger Garlic Roasted Broccoli
I totally agree with you.. packing and unpacking is a major chore and it is extremely BORING.. but this vermicelli poha looks absolutely delicious and flavourful.. 🙂
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong recently posted..Salmon in Yogurt Gravy (Doi-Maach)