Are you constantly on the lookout for healthy and delicious breakfast options that your kids will actually enjoy? Look no further, as we bring you the perfect solution to kickstart their day with a burst of flavor and nutrition – Poha, the beloved Indian breakfast dish! Poha, made from flattened rice, is a versatile canvas that allows you to infuse it with an array of colorful vegetables, essential proteins, and delightful fruits, making it a complete and balanced meal for your little ones.

In this blog post, we'll take you on a culinary adventure where we not only share a scrumptious Poha recipe but also reveal some ingenious ways to enhance its nutritional profile. Because, let's face it, getting kids to eat their greens can be quite the challenge! But fear not, as we show you how to sneak in those nutrient-packed leafy greens without compromising on taste.

Nutritional Facts:

Protein Boost: Poha itself is a good source of carbohydrates, but to increase the protein content, you can add some cooked and shredded chicken breast or paneer (Indian cottage cheese) to the recipe. This will provide the much-needed protein for growing kids.

Colorful Vegetables: Include a variety of colorful vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, peas, and corn to the poha. These veggies will not only enhance the taste and texture but also add essential vitamins and fiber to the dish.

Nuts and Seeds: Consider adding some chopped nuts like almonds, cashews, and seeds like flaxseeds or pumpkin seeds. They are rich in healthy fats and provide extra crunch to the dish.

Leafy Greens: Incorporate some finely chopped spinach or kale into the poha. Leafy greens are packed with iron and other essential nutrients, making the dish even more nutritious.

Turmeric and Spices: Turmeric is a healthy spice with anti-inflammatory properties. Add a pinch of turmeric powder to the poha while cooking to give it a lovely color and health benefits.

Fruit Twist: You can also experiment by adding small fruit pieces like pomegranate seeds or diced apples for a unique and refreshing twist. Fruits will bring natural sweetness and additional vitamins to the meal.

Yogurt Raita: Consider serving the poha with a side of yogurt raita. Yogurt will provide calcium and probiotics, contributing to good gut health for the kids.

To make Poha, a popular Indian breakfast dish, you can follow these steps:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flattened rice (thicker variety, not fine chiwda)
• 1 tablespoon oil (preferably olive oil or coconut oil)
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• Moringa Leaves (Paste)
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, bell peppers, beans, grated cabbage, etc.), finely chopped
• ½ cup Tofu/ Paneer/ Soya Chunks (or any protein of your choice)
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)
• Optional toppings: roasted peanuts, grated coconut, pomegranate seeds

Step 1:

Rinse the flattened rice (poha) gently by adding water to it. Drain the excess water and set the poha aside to remove any remaining water.

Step 2: 

Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat.

Step 3:

Once the oil is slightly hot, add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Let them crackle.

Step 4:

Add the moringa leaves in a paste form to the pan. This will add a healthy and balanced element to the recipe.

Step 5:

Add the chopped onions to the pan and sauté them until they are slightly tender.

Step 6:

Add the peanuts and your choice of vegetables (e.g., paneer, soya chunks, or chickpeas) to the pan.

Step 7: 

Sprinkle turmeric powder and salt as per taste. Mix everything well.

Step 8:

Add the washed poha to the pan and gently mix it with the other ingredients. Ensure the poha is coated well with the spices.

Step 9:

Let it cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until the poha is heated thoroughly.

Step 10:

Turn off the heat and drizzle lemon juice over the poha to enhance the flavors. Also, drizzle some water on it and cover the pan to keep the poha moist.

Step 11:

Garnish the poha with fresh coriander leaves and any optional toppings of your choice.

Serve this delicious and nutritious poha to your little champs!

Takeaway:

Parents, no more confusion! Sneaking in those nutrient-packed veggies and proteins is now a piece of cake—err, Poha! Your kids will love the burst of flavors and exciting textures. And you can be confident that they're getting the fuel they need to grow stronger and healthier. Poha is the ultimate breakfast hero that combines taste and nutrition to supercharge your little ones! With a few creative twists, we've transformed this beloved Indian dish into a delightful culinary journey packed with essential proteins, colorful veggies, and even some magical leafy greens.