Yourstrulyme

Every time I scrolled through Instagram, Poha Bites seemed to pop up on my feed. They looked so easy to make—healthy, low oil, and the perfect snack or breakfast idea. Naturally, I had to give it a shot. But I wanted to add my own touch to it—something with a South Indian flair.

The look of these poha bites instantly reminded me of Mini Podi Idly, one of my all-time favorite dishes. So, I thought, why not combine the two? I steamed the poha mixture and then tossed it in a flavorful tempering with idly milagai podi (spiced chili powder for idly). The result? A delicious snack with a crispy outside, soft inside, and that bold South Indian kick.

Ingrdients:

• 1 cup poha (flattened rice)
• 2 cups curd (add more if needed for consistency)
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon asafoetida
• A handful of chopped coriander
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• 2 teaspoons idly milagai podi (chili powder)
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 2 teaspoons oil

Recipe:

• Soak 1 cup of poha in 2 cups of curd for 30 minutes. Adjust the curd if needed—it should be soft but not watery.
• Add cumin seeds, asafoetida, salt, and some chopped coriander to the soaked poha. Mix everything together.
• Roll the mixture into small balls and steam them for about 15 minutes. They should hold their shape but remain soft.
• Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and let them pop, then toss in green chilies, sesame seeds, and idly milagai podi (Chilli Powder).
• Gently add the steamed poha balls to the pan. Toss them until they’re coated in the tempering and the outside gets slightly crispy.
• Garnish with more coriander, and your Poha Bites with a South Indian Twist are ready to enjoy!