Leftover Rice Poha is a clever Maharashtrian breakfast that transforms simple day-old rice into a light, comforting, and flavourful morning meal. Instead of discarding leftover rice, it is gently crumbled and sauteed with classic poha-style tempering to create a dish that is both familiar and refreshingly different.
Unlike flattened rice poha, this version has a softer texture and cooks much faster since the rice is already done. The tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves, peanuts, and green chillies adds warmth and crunch, while turmeric gives it colour and subtle earthiness. A squeeze of lemon at the end lifts the flavours and keeps the dish light.
2 cupsCooked leftover rice (day-old, cooled)
1 mediumOnion (finely chopped)
1–2Green chillies (finely chopped)
2 tbspPeanuts
½ tspMustard seeds
½ tspCumin seeds
8–10Curry leaves
¼ tspTurmeric powder
to tasteSalt
2 tbspOil
1–2 tspLemon juice
2 tbspFresh coriander leaves (chopped)
a pinchSugar (optional)