How to cook millets to prepare them for healthy recipes

Millet has long been used as food for birds and animals, but in recent years, after various studies have brought its health benefits and nutritional value back to the public’s attention, people have started including it in their diets for good reason too. Let’s see how to cook millet to perfection!

What is millet and what are the health benefits of millet?

They are small seed grasses and cereal plants that are widespread in many African and Asian countries. In India, we have many famous millet recipes like Bajre Ki Roti, Bajre Ki Khichdi, Ragi Paniyaram, Millet Porridge etc. Millet comes in different types like Pearl Millet (Bajra), Finger Millet (Ragi) etc.

Millet is gluten-free and is therefore excellent for losing weight. Being gluten-free also increases demand among diabetics. Studies have shown that millet is high in fiber and high in minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, zinc and potassium, making it an all-rounder and offering various health benefits such as:

* Keeps diseases at bay and provides plenty of food
* Good for heart disease and improving heart health
* Effectively reduces blood pressure and the risk of stroke and heart attack
* Reduces the risk of diseases such as atherosclerosis
* Helps control sugar levels in the body
* Helps with gastrointestinal problems
* Helps in detoxification

Rule number one for turning these grains into delicious and healthy millet recipes is to make soft and fluffy millet first! Let us know how it goes!

How to cook millet?

Step 1

Put millet in a bowl and rinse 2-3 times. It is important to rub them between your fingers when washing.

step 2

Soak the washed millets for 3-6 hours depending on the millet used. Sometimes it’s best to soak millet overnight. Some types of millet, such as barnyard grass, do not need to be soaked for more than 30 minutes.

step 3

Take a skillet or pressure cooker and heat it over medium-high. Once hot, add triple the amount of water compared to millet, along with some salt.

step 4

When most of the water has been absorbed and little is left, cover the pan and cook the millet over low heat until soft and fluffy.

step 5

When done, turn off the heat and fluff with a fork. Let it cool and use it to make any of the millet recipes you like!