Lemon Poha / Avalakki Chitranna

      In Bangalore, or at least among us and ma Relatives and frnz, we always make Lemon rice with Onions in them. Since Hubby does not eat Rice in the morning, Lemon Rice was ruled out in the mornings. And I was not really comfortable having it for Lunch. And Dinner's mostly comprised of Chapathis. So that's how Lemon Rice got extinct in our house!!! Desire got the better of me and I decided to try it in Poha. Hubby happys, me happys.... In fact Hubby credited me with one of the best Poha's he had eaten. Simple and yummy, here goes......

Ingredients: 

> Poha (Thick) / Rice Flakes (Thick) - 2 cups
> Peanuts - 1 tbsp, Raw
> Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
> Jeera / Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
> Red Chilly - 1 - 2
> Curry Leaves - 8 - 9, chopped coarsely
> Urad Dal / Split Black gram - 2 tsp
> Channa Dal / Bengal gram - 2 tsp
> Onion - 1 medium, chopped coarsely
> Green Chillies - 2, each cut into 2 parts
> Turmeric - a Pinch
> Lemon - 1
> Oil - 1 tbsp
> Water - 4 cups
> Coriander / Cilantro - 2 tbsp, chopped finely

*tsp - tea spoon
*tbsp - table spoon

• Add Oil to the Pan and heat it. Add Peanuts and fry till they turn slightly Brown.
• Add Mustard and Cumin seeds, wait till they splutter and add Dals. Fry them till the Dals turn golden. Add Curry Leaves and Red Chilly broken.
• Add chopped Onion and Green Chilly to the Pan.  Saute till the Onions sweat well. Add Turmeric. Saute for another minute.
• Add the Lemon juice and Salt and mix well. This does not require more lemon and Salt, hence advise caution.
• Take a bowl filled with water. Add Poha to the water, and let it soak for 45 secs - 1 min. Then squeeze the Poha so that maximum water absorbed is lost and add to the Pan.
• Mix the contents of the Pan well, so that the Poha is coated well with the Onion mixture. Add 2 tsp of water if Poha seems very dry. Check for Salt and Lemon and Switch off the flame. 
• Garnish with Coriander and enjoy. This recipe serves two.