Millet

                                                                 (Super grain )

Little Millet And Health Benefits

The nutrient-rich cereal is taking center stage in the country world, replacing rice and refined flour. Millets are one of the oldest food. They are replacing rice and refined flour very quickly and one can be as creative as they want to be  with them.

Millet is the richest source of nutrition. The food products and beverages made out of them have many health benefits. "different types of millets  have their own specialities.

                                                         "Replace rice with millet".

Vegetable Fried Millet

Introduction

What is Millet?

Millet is a gluten free whole grain that is most commonly used in Asia and South America. This whole grain is an excellent source of fiber in meals, but takes some getting used to when you’re learning how to cook it. Millet comes in various forms for cooking, and cooks most similarly to rice, however it can quadruple in size so be sure to cook it in a big enough pot.

Millet a popular super food, had its Cinderella moment recently. Year 2022-2023 as the International year of Millet's. Earlier 2018 was announced "National Year of millets to boost the production of the nutrient rich cereal. Being extremly versatile, millets have gone global from being just traditional. 

Each variety has its own health benefits and its trend to use  millets in cooking with  people choosing consciously.

One can be as creative as they want to be  with them. Like creating a chocolate ragi cake. From making jowar parathas   to evenmillet milk ice cream.

One can swap the recipies of rice with whole millet, be it dosa,fried rice or curd rice. For recipies where refined flour is used, i prefer jowar flour with buckwheat flour.

Some tips for using millets: Longing soaking of millet flours and better lactic fermentation gives better results. It makes a difference in their texture.. Hence sourdough like recipe  processes work beautifully with millet flours.

How to cook a millet and a delicious salad recipe

Millet is an ancient seed, originally hailing from Africa and northern China, which is widely grown around the world for both human consumption and, yes, animal feed.  It is currently a staple in the diets of about a third of the world’s population. Rich in iron, B vitamins, and calcium, millet possesses a mild corn flavor and is naturally gluten-free.  And while millet may remind you of birdseed, these little yellow beads have a delightful, light texture when cooked, are relatively quick-cooking thanks to their small size, and are highly versatile in dishes ranging all the way from breakfast to dinner.  I have substituted millet in salads where I typically use couscous and quinoa, and have cooked a millet breakfast porridge that I really enjoy as a delicious option to oatmeal.

By starving the grain, I simply mean adding slightly less water than the directions suggest.  Grains have an uncanny ability to keep sucking in moisture after they are fully cooked, and I find a little less water allows the grains to fully cook while maintaining more structure and texture.

 Salads using quinoa are another good starting point if you would like to experiment.  One cup of raw millet yields approximately three and a half cups cooked.  As a comparison, rice and quinoa are similar in their cup-for-cup yield, coming in closer to three cups cooked per every one cup uncooked.

 You can eat millet and quinoa like you would rice as a main dish or a side dish, or you can add it to salads and other meals.

• Millet Recipes
• Millet stir fry
• Millet and Fruit Pudding

As it cooks, millet can almost quadruple in size, meaning it is a thirsty grain. If you deprive it of liquid, it will punish you with a gritty, dry, pasty pot of food. Hydrate it properly, You can eat millet  like you would rice as a main dish or a side dish, or you can add it to salads and other meals.

Here are types of Millet's and their benefits :

Pearl Millet (Bajra) :

Bajra (Pearl millet): Bajra is known for its umpteen health benefits. Bajra is packed with the goodness of iron,protein, fibre, and minerals such as calcium and magnesium; the daily consumption or inclusion of this millet can work wonders.. Pearl millet consist of magnesium, which helps in reducing respiratory problems. Bajra nachos.

Sorghum (Jowar) :

Jowar (Sorghum): Sorghum is commonly known as Jowar in India. Traditionally, jowar was used as a grain to make flat breads/ rotis. Enriched with the goodness of iron, protein and fiber, jowar can help in reducing cholesterol level as it has a component called policosanols (a part of sorghum wax). It is good for people who have wheat intolerance.. Sorgum grain is totally gluten free and rich in iron, protein and fiber. It helps cure anemaia. 

Buckwheat (Kuttu)

 

Kuttu (Buckwheat): Whole-grain buckwheat can be very helpful in weight loss. It is Diabetic friendly Reduces Blood Pressure: and promotes good cardiovascular health. Buckwheat or Kuttu provides protection against breast cancer. It also provides protection against childhood asthma. Kuttu or buckwheat also prevents gallstones

Amaranth (Rajgira) : 

Rajgira/Ramdana/Chola (Amaranth): Amaranth has a great protein content. It helps with hair loss and greying. It lowers cholesterol and risk of cardiovascular disease. It's High In Calcium. Amaranth Is Full Of Antioxidants And Minerals.. Amaranth has been torch bearer in its own right.A 7000 thousand year old seed the name has its root in Sanskrit literally meaning that which does not fade or die.

Amaranth laddoo, amarant burger, amaranth waffle.

Finger millet (Nachni, Ragi) :

Ragi (Finger Millet): Ragi is used as a healthy substitute for rice and wheat. Ragi is undoubtedly a powerhouse of nutrition.  This is a gluten-free millet is good for brain development in growing kids.. Finger millet is a source of natural calcium, iron, protein and amino acid. . It helps cure anemia, and improves bone health. Ragi bread, Ragi crackers. We use 11% of ragi flour in our bread, which gives perfect texture and flavor. Ragi cookies. Ragi chocolate, cake.

Fox tail millet (Kangni) 'कंगनी'/ मोटा अनाज:

 Kakum/Kangni (Foxtail millet): Foxtail millet has healthy blood sugar balancing carbohydrates, The presence of iron and calcium in this millet helps in strengthening immunity.Fox millet helps in the steady release of glucose.which is beneficial for diabetic patient.

Little millet (Samai Rice) मोरधन और समा के चावल, भगर और वरी,  श्यामा चावल

Moraiyo/ Kutki/ Shavan/ Sama(Little millet): Packed with the goodness of B-vitamins, minerals like calcium, iron, zinc and potassium, little millets can provide essential nutrients, which further help in weight loss. It is a part of many traditional dishes in south India. What's more, more than anything its high fiber content makes it a healthy replacement for rice.

Kodi millet (kodon)

 Kodon (Kodu millet): Kodo millet is very easy to digest, it contains a high amount of lecithin and is excellent for strengthening the nervous system. Kodo
millets are rich in B vitamins, especially niacin, B6 and folic acid, as well as the minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and zinc. Kodo millets contain no gluten and is good for people who are gluten intolerant.Regular consumption of kodo millet is very beneficial for postmenopausal women suffering from signs of cardiovascular disease,like high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.

 

Barnyard millet (Sanwa) सांवा 

Sanwa(Barnyard millet) : This nutrient dense millet has high fiber content, which can effectively help in losing weight. It is a rich source of calicum and phosphorius, which helps in bone building and its daily caonsumption helps infighting bone diseases.Its taste is sweet.

Proso millet (chena) 

Chena(Proso/Broomcorn millet): This millet can effectively help in balancing blood sugar level. Its low glycemic index has made it a fad among weight watchers. In India is has been a commonly bird feed.चेना (Proso millet) मोटा अन्न है। इसे 'पुनर्वा' भी कहते है, A proso millet pizza.

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