Goes an ancestral Kannada proverb. Our predecessors were indeed a wiser breed, for they explored more than Rice-Wheat as staple eats!
Did you know Rice and Wheat are commercial Carbs that stand really low on fibre and mineral status? It was “Millets” that were indigenously consumed by our forerunners all over India, before westernized standardization of agriculture took over.
Millets, does the name ring a bell?
If you’ve never heard of Millets, know that, they are in very high demand in today’s world as - Polished Rice, GMO Breads have gained a bad name in Diabetes and Obesity circles! Nutritionists are busy prescribing non-glutinous, non-acidic, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer Millets to vulnerable sedentary groups!!!!!!
So, here our lowdown on top three “Holistic Indian Millets”, their Health Benefits, followed by a Quick Recipe, to get you cooking!
Kodo Millet (Varagu) :
Anti-Diabetic ingredients in Kodo Millets like Quercetin, Ferulic Acid, Vanillic Acid etc. bring down fasting Blood Glucose Levels, and pull up Serum Insulin Levels!
Rich in “Polyphenols” - Kodo keeps Bacteria or Microbes too on its hit list! It’s high in Fibre, hence can be your go-to functional food for Weight Loss.
Psst…consume more Kodo Millets to lower your Cholesterol and Triglyceride levels.
Our Quick Recipe:
Kodo Millet Idlis :
Ingredients: 1.5 Cup Kodo Millet, ½ Cup Urad Dal, ½ Cup Poha, 1 teaspoon Methi Seeds, Salt to Taste.
Soak Kodo Millet, Urad Dal and Methi seeds in a bowl for 5-6 hours. Just half an hour before grinding, soak the Poha. Then, put all the above ingredients in Mixer and grind them to make batter. Add salt to the batter, mix well and keep overnight for fermentation. Grease the Idli plates with little oil and pour batter in the plates. Steam the Idlis for 10 minutes in a pressure cooker.
Finger Millet (Ragi) :
If your Gluten or Lactose Intolerant this wonder grain is a total savior for you! Ragi is 100% Gluten-Free!! It is one of the best non-dairy sources of Calcium - for strong Teeth and healthy Bones. This low-glycemic index, high-fibre food also keep Blood Sugar levels within safe range.
Iron out Wrinkles and Skin-sagging with this Methionine and Lysine amino acids harboring superfood!!
Our Quick Recipe:
Ragi Cookies :
Ingredients: 3/4th Cup Ragi, 1/4th Cup Chickpea Flour (Besan), 1/4th Cup Oats Flour, 2 Tablespoon Cocoa Powder, 2 Tablespoon Milk Powder, 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda, 1/4th teaspoon Cardamom Powder, 1/4th Teaspoon Salt, 1/4th Cup Desi Ghee, 1/4th Cup Jaggery, 1/4th Cup Milk
Mix Ragi-Besan-Oats Flours, Milk powder, Cocoa Powder, Baking Soda and Cardamom Powder in a bowl together. In a separate bowl, mix Ghee and Jaggery. Mix the prior and latter bowls together! Add little milk to this, 2 teaspoons at a time and knead to form a dough. Wrap dough with butter paper and refrigerate for 30 mins. When ready to bake, make cookie-sized balls and line them on baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes at 160 degree Celsius!
Pearl Millet (Kambu) :
Pearl Millet has 14% Proteins, making it the best source of Plant-based Protein amongst all Millets! It helps in minimizing Type-2 Diabetes and increases Cholesterol Metabolism in the body.
Also, Pearl Millet has thrice the Calcium present in Milk and is used to increase milk production in lactating Mothers.
Battling Insomnia? Pearl Millet is your ultimate relaxant!
Our Quick Recipe:
Spicy Kambu Adai :
Ingredients: ½ Cup Pearl Millet, ½ Cup Chana Dal, 1/4th Cup Toor Dal, 1/4th Cup Urad Dal, 1 Onion, ½ inch Ginger, 1 Cup finely chopped Cabbage, 8 Red Chillis, 1/2 teaspoon Mustard, 1/4th teaspoon Asafoetida, Curry Leaves, Oil and Salt as needed.
Wash and soak Pearl Millet-Chana Dal-Toor Dal-Urad Dal for 3 hours. Grind Red Chillis, Salt, Ginger and Asafoetida to coarse powder. Grind the soaked Dal-Millet with little water in a Mixer. Add the Spice-mix above, Onion, Mustard, Curry Leaves, and Cabbage to the batter. Grease the tawa with Oil and make thick Adais!
Let’s get some Millet-cooking?!
All because Millets are Panaceas, that you must consume more often!