The whole world celebrates International Millet Day on December 19th to celebrate the versatile and nutritious 'superfood.' Packed with fibre, minerals and antioxidants, millets are gluten-free grains that support digestion, control appetite and boost overall health. So, if you are looking to include millets in your diet without compromising with the taste, then here are four special recipes for you shared by renowned Indian chefs. So, get ready and elevate everyday meals into gourmet and healthy delicacies that nourish your body along with satisfying your taste buds. Head to your kitchen and celebrate International Millet Day 2024 by incorporating these wholesome dishes into your menu.
Winter Vegetable Millet Pulao
A wholesome and flavourful dish loaded with winter veggies; this pulao is perfect for chilly afternoons. Browntop millet serves as a hearty base, complemented by the warmth of whole spices and seasonal produce.
Ingredients
- ½ cup browntop millets
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 tsp jeera
- 2 bay leaves
- 1-2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 cardamom pods
- 6-8 black peppercorns
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2-3 turnips, diced
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 1 small floret cauliflower
- 2-3 green chillies, slit
- salt, red chilli powder, turmeric, coriander powder, and garam masala to taste
Method
- Rinse and soak the millet for 30 minutes.
- Heat oil in a pressure cooker; sauté whole spices and onions.
- Add diced vegetables, seasonings, and soaked millet.
- Add water (double the millet quantity), cook for 2 whistles, and serve with curd and pickle.
Ingredients
- 240 gms finger millet flour
- 350 ml milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 35 gms icing sugar
- 10 gms baking powder
- 5 gms orange zest
- 5 gms cinnamon powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Method
- Combine dry ingredients and whisk wet ingredients separately.
- Blend them into a smooth, thin batter.
- Cook crepes in a buttered skillet and stuff with banana-jaggery filling.
- Garnish with fresh berries, mint, and maple syrup.
Millet Beetroot Curd
Ingredients
- 1 cup boiled millets (foxtail, kodo or browntop)
- 1 cup curd
- 1-2 tsp grated ginger
- 1 green chilli, chopped
- salt to taste
- 3 tsp grated beetroot
Method
- Mix boiled millets with curd, ginger, chili, and salt.
- Prepare a tempering with ghee, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and lentils, then pour over the mixture.
- Garnish with beetroot and serve.
Millet Ambali
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp millet grains or rava (kodo, little, barnyard, foxtail, or browntop)
- 1 liter water
Method
- Soak millet grains for 6-8 hours or millet rava for 4 hours in a mud pot.
- Boil with 10x water and let it cool.
- Ferment for 8-10 hours, then flavour with curd, salt, cumin, or masalas of choice.
- Consume within 2 hours for maximum probiotic benefits.
