The Indian millet tasting dish dates back many centuries. Nuts like ragi, jowar and bajra, have a rich history of being eaten by different communities around the country. Interestingly, India is also the largest millet producer in the world. Nutritional cereals are high in protein, carbohydrates and fiber. In fact, ragi contains 3 times more calcium than any other grain (yes, even milk!) and it’s high in fiber which keeps people fuller for longer. Jowar, on the other hand, is a gluten-free grain and the amount of antioxidants in the grain is about 3-4 times higher than other whole grains, making it a superior immune booster. .
AND the icing on the cake (millennium)? The seeds are very tasty.
However, we don’t talk about these superfoods enough. As a nation, monoculture of wheat and rice has prevailed for us and along the way we have forgotten the benefits of the mighty domestic millet. However, things are slowly changing – millet is slowly becoming its own, with individuals, brands, the Indian government and even the United Nations making conscious efforts to convey benefits of this seed. The Union Budget recently took stock of cereals and the United Nations designated 2023 as the International Year of Millet.
The ultimate attention is on these hard seeds and it’s time to bust the myths – millet is easy to make, tastes delicious, and doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your existing recipes.
Here are 7 quick and easy ways to incorporate millet into your family’s daily routine:
1. Millet Chapati
Small changes add up! One of the easiest ways to incorporate millet into your diet is to cook chapatis with 50% whole wheat flour and use a millet-based flour like ragi or jowar flour for the rest. again. In a few weeks, you’ll most likely find yourself used to super grains and eventually you’ll want to switch to chapatis made entirely with millet.
(Read more: 7 types of millet, health benefits and uses shared by FSSAI)
Millet chapati can be paired with any sabzi.
2. Idli millet
Idli for breakfast is a great way to start the day, isn’t it? Unfortunately, what most of us don’t realize is that rice-based idlis can actually make people feel sluggish because they’re a high-carb preparation. Next time you want to enjoy idlis for breakfast, try substituting rice for ragi – it’s a concoction that will keep you fuller longer while testing taste and health! And the best part? You can make idlis with most varieties of millet, which means you can experience a ‘new’ idli every time you do it.
3. Chicken Fried Rice / Pulaos
Millets like foxtail millet are easy substitutes for rice and great grains to use in fried rice or pulao recipes. Whole grains are high in calories and are a great source of energy. A diet that includes foxtail millet is also known to improve glycemic control and reduce insulin, cholesterol, and fasting glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes.
So the next time you’re craving a hearty pulao, be sure to use millet as the main ingredient.
4. Millet porridge
If eating porridge seems boring and dull to you, try cooking with equal proportions of ragi, rice, moong dal, and jowar. Add some fresh fruit and you have yourself an easy-to-digest dish, not just a hearty breakfast for adults and children. Click here for the recipe.
5. Pancakes
We often ask “Is it possible to make pancakes with millet?”
Sure! And what if we told you it would taste as good as the pancakes you’ve eaten? Swap your regular flour with any millet flour (mink, amaranth, and bajra are our top picks) and you’ll have a choice that’s absolutely delicious (and doesn’t have to be). guilt) for his lazy weekend breakfast.
6. Pancakes
Millet cake is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth without worrying about the effects of dessert on your health. Instead of maida, you can use any millet like finger millet, mink tail or pearl millet according to your taste and preference, and enjoy a healthy and delicious meal at home.
(Read more: 5 recipes from millet for weight loss)
Millet cake is the perfect dish to satisfy your sweet tooth.
7. Millet crepes
Loaded with essential vitamins and minerals along with a burst of fruit goodness, millet crepes are an ideal breakfast to put together in the middle of a busy WFH week. You can use ragi flour, fruits like bananas, along with milk and eggs to make crepes for a healthy and nutritious breakfast.
Enjoy the various benefits of millet through these recipes.
About the author: Meghana Narayan and Shauravi Malik are co-founders of Wholsum Foods Pvt. Ltd
