Interesting recipes from Millets

“Aaj khana kya banau?”

Every day, without fail, the lady of the family has to face this indomitable question. She fights alone and hard… True to the core, especially for this question. Husband and kids are absolutely no help when deciding what is to be prepared, and finally the burden of the decision comes on to her alone! And, oh, that’s not all. Each member will have his / her own quirks or fantasies about the meal they want to have. Health conscious people will want a low carb, gluten free, or a vegan diet!! Kids will want something interesting. Elderly people want something simple. And most importantly, you want to do something that doesn’t make you feel, as if you’re living your life out of the kitchen!!

This is where we come into the picture. Today, we bring you dishes made of one item, which is not really a popular ingredient with everybody: Millets. But, a little twist here and there, and I assure you, you will manage to win the hearts of all in your house!

There are multiple types of millets those are grown in India – pearl (Bajra / Bajri), proso (Barri / Varai), kodo, little millet, finger millet (Raagi / Nachni), sorghum (Jowar) etc. All of these are high in protein but contain different percentages of fats, carbohydrates. So you might want to reconfirm your nutritional requirement before you buy it. You can make literally anything from millets – khichadi, idli, dosas, kheer, payasam. There is a wide variety of options open for you – just let your creativity flow.

I am sharing some very interesting recipes from millets today, that even your little ones would crave for:

Spiced Millet Veggie Burgers

Ingredients:

• 5 cups water
• ½ cup dry pearl millet flour (bajra)
• 3 tablespoons avocado oil or coconut oil preferred though any vegetable oil can be used
• 1 large white onion, finely minced
• 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
• Salt to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large carrot, peeled and finely minced
• 2 stalks celery, finely minced
• 3 cups spinach, finely chopped
• turmeric
• ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 cup garbanzo bean flour (You can use amaranth flour also)
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Method:

1. Bring water to boil. Add the millet flour, cover and simmer on low till water is fully absorbed. In the meantime, we will proceed with the other preparation.
2. Roughly chop the onion, carrot, celery and spinach. Blend/process the chopped vegetables until finely minced/grated.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan on medium. Add onions, garlic, salt and pepper and cook stirring occasionally until onions are translucent. Stir in the carrots, celery, spinach, turmeric and smoked paprika and cook.
4. Turn off the heat. Add the cooked millet, garbanzo bean flour and maple syrup to the saucepan. Stir until well combined. Adjust seasonings as needed. Leave aside till it completely cools down.
5. Form the mixture into patties.
6. Heat the saucepan to a fairly high temperature and coat with 1 tablespoon of oil. Sauté each patty on both sides until firm and golden browned.
7. Use these patties on burger buns, wrapped in Lettuce leaves layered with cucumber, tomato, onions.

Proso Stir Fry with Veggies

• 1 cup proso millet
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 inch ginger grated
• 1 green chili / Red chili Powder
• 1 onion chopped
• 1 cup chopped mixed vegetables (Bell peppers, Carrots, French-beans)
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• Salt to taste
• red pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp oil

Method:

1. Wash the millets in a fine sieve under running water. Soak for 10 minutes while you prepare the vegetables.
2. Heat oil in a deep pot. When the oil is hot, add garlic, green chili and ginger. Sauté for a minute.
3. Add chopped onions, other vegetables and all the spices. Mix well and let it cook.
4. Drain the millets and add to the pot. Add 2 cups of water. Alternatively if you want to add flavour, you can use vegetable stock as well. Cook till it starts boiling.
5. Reduce the heat to low and cook till all the water is absorbed and the millet is cooked through.
6. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve with lightly spiced curd.

My dear friends, I hope these recipes will help you to make a healthy and tasty change in your meal plans. Just remember, millets are not good overnight, so once you cook it, ensure that you finish it in the same meal. Do not forget to send us the yummiest pictures after you try them!

Also, do share other recipes created by you – we would love to hear about them from you!

Write soon, till then, happy cooking!!