How To Cook Millets

Let’s embark on a culinary journey on how to cook millets and explore a variety of delicious, healthy millet recipes. With incredible taste and wholesome nutrition, millets pack a storehouse of health benefits.

Millets have recently gained popularity as a highly nutritious grain option, offering a wide range of health benefits. From providing essential vitamins and minerals to combating malnutrition, obesity, and diabetes, it’s no wonder that they have reemerged as a staple in Indian kitchens. If you're interested in preparing delicious millet dishes, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll explore a collection of delectable and healthy millet recipes that will help boost your overall health.

What is Millet?

Millets are small-seeded grains commonly grown in regions of Asia and Africa. India is the leading producer of nutrient-rich millets, which are globally consumed as a staple food. Traditional millet recipes like bajra roti, jowar bhakri, and samai upma continue to be cherished, serving as staple millet dishes even today.

Here are a few commonly consumed millets that are packed with nutrients:

How To Cook Millets

The following is an easy way to cook your millets:

• Soak the whole millet overnight (8 hours) in water.
• Drain the water the next day and add 1 cup of water (this will depend on how you choose to use the cooked millet) to it with salt and mix well.
• Add this to a pressure cooker and cook for 5 whistles.
• Allow the steam to escape and drain any remaining water.
• You can have this cooked millet as is, or it can be used to make tasty dishes like khichdi, salad or pilaf.

Here are a few cooking tips that will help you get the most of your millets:

• To cook 1 cup of millet (pilaf style), you’ll need 2 cups of water. For a creamier porridge, use 3 cups of water.
• Soak or ferment the millets beforehand to improve their digestibility, texture and availability of essential minerals. .
• Consuming sprouted millets can significantly enhance their nutritional value, making them an excellent option for weight loss.

In the next section, we explore some of the best millet recipes.

Healthy and Delicious Millet Recipes

Listed below are some of the most appetising millet recipes that offer a ton of benefits:

Storing millets for long-term storage

Storing uncooked millet is an easy process with no special care needed, thanks to their robust nature. However, proper storage of millets not only keeps them fresh but also helps you enjoy their nutritional benefits for a longer period. So, keep the following in mind, when you deal with millets:

• Ensure that the millets are completely dry before packaging them in an airtight container.
• Remove any impurities such as stones or dirt before storing them.
• Store millets in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight, moisture, and heat.
• Finally, if you do observe any discolouration, change in texture or unusual odour, it is best to discard them.

Conclusion

Embracing millets in your diet is a delicious way to enhance your health. With a plethora of healthy millet recipes at your disposal, you can include multiple millet dishes in your diet. From traditional to contemporary, sweet to savoury, the world of millet cuisine is as diverse as it is nutritious. So, why wait? Start exploring the best millet recipes today and embark on a culinary journey that's as satisfying as it is healthy.