Millets: Superfood of The Year, Try These Recipes This Winter

A versatile and nutrient-dense grain, millet is a powerful source of important nutrients, including fiber, protein, and important vitamins and minerals. Consuming millet has a wide range of potential health benefits, from preventing diabetes to protecting cardiovascular health. Due in part to its special qualities as a drought-resistant and low-maintenance grain, millet is known as a sustainable and nutritious food option. Its contribution to gut health and weight management is especially notable. Millet is a winter-friendly grain that goes well with seasonal foods. Apart from millet, apples are another nutrient-dense superfood. They provide significant amounts of protein, fiber, potassium, iron, and several vitamins, all of which contribute to the general health advantages of a well-balanced diet. Here are 5 recipes by Chef Ronit Kumar, Ministry of Appetite which you must try:

Millet And Apple Salad recipe

Ingredients:

• Millet: 50g
• Red Apple: 70g
• Green Apple: 70g
• Salt: 3g
• Honey: 10ml
• Lemon Juice: 2ml
• Crushed Black Pepper: 2g
• Pomegranate: 10g (For Garnishing)
• Mix Lettuce: 20g (For Garnishing)

 Method:

Prepare Millet:

1. Rinse 50g of millet thoroughly and cook it according to package instructions.
2. Allow the cooked millet to cool to room temperature.

Prep Apples:

1. Dice both the red and green apples into bite-sized pieces.

Mixing:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked millet, diced red apple, and diced green apple.

Dressing:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together salt, honey, lemon juice, and crushed black pepper.
2. Drizzle the dressing over the millet and apple mixture. Gently toss to coat evenly.

Garnish:

1. Garnish the salad with pomegranate seeds and mix lettuce for a burst of color and freshness.

Chill:

1. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Serve:

1. Prior to serving, give the salad a gentle toss.
2. Serve the Millet & Apple Salad chilled as a refreshing and nutritious side dish.

This Millet & Apple Salad combines the nutty flavor of millet with the sweetness of red and green apples, creating a delightful and wholesome dish. The addition of honey, lemon juice, and pomegranate seeds enhances the flavors, making it a perfect choice for a light and nutritious meal. Enjoy!

Millet Galouti recipe

Ingredients:

• Millet: 100g
• Cashew Paste: 50g
• Roasted Channa Powder: 10g
• Brown Onion Paste: 50g
• Salt: 2g
• Yellow Chilli Powder: 3g
• Green Cardamom Powder: 2g
• Desi Ghee: 10ml
• Cinnamon Stick Powder: 2g
• Clove Powder: 1g
• Tomato Puree: 80g
• Cherry Tomato: 15g

 Method:

Prepare Millet Paste:

1. Begin by soaking 100g of millet for some time.
2. Drain and make a paste of the millet.

Sauté Millet Mixture:

1. Heat 5ml of desi ghee in a pan over low flame.
2. Dry the millet paste in the ghee.
3. Mix in all the listed ingredients.

Form Galouti Patties:

1. Consider using a nonstick pan for this step.
2. Add desi ghee to the pan and fry the millet mixture, forming Galouti tikkis.

Cooking Process:

1. Ensure the tikkis are cooked evenly on both sides, achieving a golden-brown hue.

Serve:

1. Your Millet Galouti is now ready to be served.
2. Serve it with mint chutney for a delightful and flavorful experience.

Indulge in the rich textures and aromatic flavors of Millet Galouti, a wholesome and delicious alternative that promises a delightful twist to your culinary experience. Paired with refreshing mint chutney, it makes for a perfect treat for your taste buds.

Millet Apple Banana Cinnamon Meal

Ingredients:

• Millet: 70g
• Red Apple: 100g
• Banana: 100g
• Cinnamon Powder: 3g
• Milk: 300ml
• Honey: 10ml

Method:

Preparation of Millet:

1. Begin by washing 70g of millet thoroughly.
2. In a pan over low flame, pour in 300ml of milk.
3. Add 10ml of honey to the milk.
4. Incorporate the washed millet into the mixture and allow it to cook.

Cooking Process:

1. Allow the millet to cook until it reaches a tender consistency.
2. Once cooked, let the millet cool to room temperature.

Fruit Preparation:

1. Cut 100g of red apple into bite-sized cubes.
2. Add chopped bananas to the apple cubes.

Garnishing:

1. Garnish the millet with the prepared apple and banana mixture.
2. Sprinkle 3g of cinnamon powder over the entire dish.

Serve:

1. Your Millet Apple Banana Cinnamon Meal is ready to be served.

This wholesome meal not only offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors but also provides a nutritious kick to your day. Enjoy the heartiness of millet combined with the sweetness of fruits and the aromatic touch of cinnamon for a satisfying and healthy dining experience.

Millet Dal Khichdi with Healthy Vegetables

Ingredients:

• Millet: 100g
• Moong Dal: 50g
• Carrot: 50g, diced
• Broccoli: 50g, cut into florets
• Fresh Coriander: 10g, finely chopped
• Whole Jeera (Cumin Seeds): 3g
• Tomato: 50g, chopped
• Hing (Asafoetida): 1g
• Olive Oil: 10ml
• Desi Ghee: 10ml
• Salt to taste
• Pomegranate: 10g, for garnish

 Method:

Prepare Millet and Moong Dal:

1. Wash 100g of millet and 50g of moong dal, and soak them in water for some time.

Sauté Aromatics:

1. Place a pan on low flame and add 10ml of olive oil.
2. Add 3g of whole cumin seeds, tomato pieces, and sauté until the tomatoes are soft.

Add Millet and Dal:

1. Incorporate the soaked millet and moong dal into the pan.

Seasoning:

1. Add 1g of asafoetida and salt to taste.
2. Pour water into the mixture and add diced vegetables (carrots, broccoli).

Cooking Process:

1. Cook the ingredients until they are tender, ensuring the millet and dal reach a desirable consistency.
2. Drizzle 10ml of desi ghee and mix well.

Serve and Garnish:

1. Transfer the khichdi to a serving bowl.
2. Garnish with fresh coriander and pomegranate seeds.

Enjoy:

1. Your Nutrient-Rich Millet Dal Khichdi with Healthy Vegetables is now ready to be served.
2. Customize the garnish according to your preference and savor the wholesome goodness of this comforting dish.

This Millet Dal Khichdi not only combines the goodness of millet and moong dal but also features a medley of nutritious vegetables. Topped with fresh coriander and pomegranate seeds, it’s a delightful and wholesome meal that’s both nutritious and delicious.

Millet Ladoo

Ingredients:

• Millet Flour: 350g
• Jaggery: 100g
• Desi Ghee: 80g
• Cashew Nuts: 20g
• Almonds: 20g
• Green Cardamom Powder: 2g
• Grated Dry Coconut: 20g
• Garnishing Almonds: 6 pieces, halved

Method:

Prepare Millet Flour:

1. Take 350g of millet flour.
2. In a pan, melt 80g of desi ghee over low heat.

Roast Millet Flour:

1. Add half the melted ghee to the pan.
2. Once the ghee is warm, add millet flour.
3. Roast the millet flour until it attains a golden brown color.

Add Nuts and Flavorings:

1. Add cashew nuts and almonds, chopped into small chunks, to the roasted flour.
2. Include grated dry coconut and green cardamom powder for added flavor.

Incorporate Jaggery:

1. Mix jaggery into the flour and nut mixture.
2. Ensure thorough mixing, allowing the jaggery to blend well with the other ingredients.

Prepare Ladoo Mixture:

1. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
2. Using your hands, mix the ingredients well to create a uniform mixture.

Shape into Ladoo:

1. Take a small amount of the mixture in your palms and roll it into a round shape.
2. Choose your preferred size for the Ladoo; in this recipe, medium-sized Ladoo is made.

Garnish:

1. Garnish the Ladoo with halved pieces of almonds.
2. Repeat the process until all the mixture is shaped into Ladoo.

Final Touch:

1. Drizzle the remaining ghee over the Ladoo for an extra touch of richness.

Serve and Enjoy:

1. Your mouth-watering Millet Ladoo, enriched with the goodness of millet, nuts, and jaggery, is ready to be savored.
2. Enjoy these delicious and nutritious treats as a wholesome dessert or a delightful snack.

These Millet Ladoo, with the earthy goodness of millet and the sweetness of jaggery, make for a delightful and wholesome treat. Perfect for festive occasions or as a guilt-free indulgence.

BENEFITS OF MILLET LADOOS

Nutritional Riches of Millet for Winter Wellness

Millet stands out as an excellent source of protein, fiber, essential vitamins, and minerals. The inherent potential health benefits of millet encompass a wide spectrum, offering protection for cardiovascular health, preemptive measures against diabetes, assistance in achieving and sustaining a healthy weight, and effective management of gastrointestinal well-being.

Renowned for its low-maintenance characteristics and resilience in the face of drought, millet emerges as a grain that not only survives adverse conditions but also imparts significant health advantages. It plays a pivotal role in fortifying cardiovascular health, contributing to weight management, and fostering a harmonious gut environment.

As the winter season unfolds, the merits of millet become even more pronounced. Laden with vital nutrients, millet becomes an invaluable ally in maintaining overall health during the colder months. Whether fortifying cardiovascular resilience, regulating blood sugar levels, or aiding in weight management, millet emerges as a versatile and nutritious choice for winter wellness.

Embrace the wholesome benefits of millet this winter, as it proves to be not merely a low-maintenance grain but a powerhouse of nutrients contributing to your holistic well-being.