Delicious ways to add finger millet to your diet
What's the story
Finger millet, popularly known as ragi, has been praised for its nutritious value. With high calcium and rich fiber, it's a great addition to your diet. However, despite its health benefits, it is often ignored in modern day cooking. This article explores how you can use this versatile grain in delicious dishes, and show its culinary potential.
Morning boost
Nutritious breakfast options
Start your day with finger millet by adding it to your breakfast dishes such as porridge or pancakes. Its nutty flavor complements fruits and nuts, giving you a hearty meal that keeps you full longer. You can prepare finger millet porridge by cooking the grains in milk or water until soft and adding sweeteners like honey or jaggery. For pancakes, mix finger millet flour with whole wheat flour for added texture and nutrition.
Midday delight
Savory lunch ideas
Finger millet can be converted into savory lunch options like rotis or dosas. These traditional flatbreads are prepared by combining finger millet flour and water to make a dough or batter. The end product is a nutritious substitute for regular wheat-based breads that goes perfectly with curries and vegetables. Finger millet can also be added to salads as cooked grains lend texture and nutrition.
Snack time
Healthy snack alternatives
For healthy snack alternatives, finger millet also provides several options like crackers or energy bars. Crackers prepared with finger millet flour make for a crunchy snack that is satisfying and nutritious, especially when paired with dips or spreads. Energy bars made with roasted finger millet, nuts, and dried fruits provide a portable snack option loaded with energy-boosting nutrients.
Evening feast
Delicious dinner recipes
Incorporate finger millet into dinner recipes like soups or stews for added thickness and nutrition, without changing the taste too much. It makes for an excellent thickening agent while adding essential nutrients to the dish itself—perfect for hearty vegetable soups during colder months. Or try using it instead of rice in pilafs where its unique flavor shines through beautifully with spices like cumin seeds.
Dessert delight
Sweet treats using finger millet
Finger millets' versatility can be pushed further when you use it creatively in desserts. Think puddings flavored delicately using cardamom powder combined seamlessly with coconut milk, resulting ultimately in creamy textures reminiscent of custards themselves. Or, you could bake cookies using this ingredient, which not only enhances overall taste but also boosts the nutritional profile considerably compared against conventional counterparts typically found elsewhere today.