All about millets and 50+ recipes!
A few years ago Oats was the word that was on everyone’s lips including mine[And it’s on my lips even now!]. Then it was quinoa and now it’s the millet! Many blogs have millet recipes and mine has too but it was restricted to Ragi and Bajra.
Almost 6 months ago, the other form of lesser-known millet began to flood the market. Even the small grocery shop near my house has all varieties of millets, cleaned and neatly packed and at affordable rates!
I started buying different types of millet and have been experimenting with them ever since. So today’s post is all about millet
and it is for the Week 3 of Blogging Marathon #42 under the theme – Millet Mania.
Let’s get started, shall we?
What are Millets?
- Millets are one of the oldest crops known to mankind.
- They are a group of small-seeded grasses
- These crops grow well in dry conditions/rain-fed areas and do not require too much pampering.
- They grow quickly and yield grain within a span of 65- 70 days!
- Millets are highly nutritious and gluten-free grains.
- They are one of the least allergic grains
- Easy to digest
- They are supposed to have a low glycemic index and can be used in diabetic food preparations.
- Millets contain a higher percentage of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients when compared to rice and wheat.
Here are some of the millets that I have tried…
Name of various millets….
Barnyard Millet -Scientific Name- Echinocloa spp, Kuthiraivali [Tamil],Jhangaro[Hindi].Other name – Japanese millet.
Finger Millet – Scientific Name- Eleusine coracana,Kelveragu[Tamil], Ragi[Kannada, telugu,]Nachni[Hindi]. Other names- African millet.
Foxtail Millet -Scientific Name- Setaria italica,Thinai[Tamil],Kangni[Hindi]
Little Millet -Scientific Name- Panicum sumatrense,Samai[Tamil],Kutki[Hindi],Samo, Jungle rice.
Pearl Millet -Scientific Name- Pennisettum glaucum, Kambu[Tamil],Bajra[Hindi]
Kodo Millet -Scientific Name- Paspalum scrobiculatum,Varagu[Tamil],Kodro[Hindi]
I will update this space with the names of millets in other languages as well…
Barnyard millet, Kodo millet, and little millet look a little similar. And they all taste a little earthy but when mixed with other sides or when seasoned, you will not notice anything much.
In general, millet can be cooked in a pan or in a pressure cooker. Almost all the millets can be cooked as such. Foxtail millet needs to be soaked for a couple of hours before cooking.
Also, millet can be used in the place of rice and hence can be served along with the regular lunch sides..
Millets can be used in preparing anything from porridge to desserts.
Like this recipe? Do leave a comment below and rate the recipe. If you try out this dish, share with us how it turned out!
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