Growing up, we have seen several grains and lentils used for making flour, like wheat for refined flour, chana dal for besan, or rice for, well, rice flour. Amongst these is a fourth variety that has been culturally significant for ages but is recently gaining its due diligence in popularity. This is the widely versatile millet flour. While we are quite familiar with the traditional cooking ideas for millet flour, such as bajra ki roti or ragi porridge, there is a ton of culinary potential untapped using this very ingredient. So, why not explore further? Take this journey to thoroughly understand the millet flour, its textures, benefits, recipes and tips for using millet flour in cooking.
Millets are small-seeded grains much smaller than wheat or rice, typically cultivated for consumption or fodder. Once ground whole, its fine powder is called millet flour. Apart from ragi flour, which may have a reddish brown colour, the majority of these cereal crop flours are light yellow or white. Millet flours are used for baking, desserts, and breakfast options, pairing fairly well with dishes that are both savoury and sweet.
Just as there are a wide variety of millets, so are the millet flours. They are all unique and boast their own flavour profiles. Some of the most common types of millet flour used for cooking are:
Pearl Millet Flour: Known widely across the country as Bajra flour, pearl millet has a sweet, nutty flavour and a lighter texture. This characteristic makes preparing porridge, pancakes and baking with millet flour an easy affair.
Finger Millet Flour: Affectionately called Ragi, finger millet seeds are reddish brown. Hence, the cereal produces flour that is dark in colour. It’s a treasure trove of nutrients. Some ways to use millet flour in cooking are baby foods, porridges, crackers and rotis.
Foxtail Millet Flour: Another wonder millet flour is Kangni flour. It has a milder flavour profile that complements a wide variety of dishes. Foxtail millet flour can be used for baking cookies and cakes, as well as chillas and theplas.
Through the types of millet flour, we gain a keen understanding of the flavour profile of the millets. For most parts, millet flour tastes slightly sweet, nutty and milder, which pairs beautifully with other ingredients you add to the recipe while using millet flour for cooking. It is lighter in texture, but that may vary depending on the type of millet used in the recipe. For instance, bread made with pearl millet flour may turn out airy and fluffy. On the other hand, if the same bread is made with finger millet flour, it may turn out dense and yet sweet.
Millet flour is a nutritional powerhouse that offers a variety of health benefits. Millets are great sources of protein, dietary fibre, folate as well as minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium and iron. Millet has a low glycemic index and is inherently gluten-free. This makes millet flour a holistic dietary option for people with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity and type 2 diabetes. Interestingly, the consumption of millet also provides a feeling of fullness for longer. Such attributes make millet flour more appealing for creating a new-age balanced diet.
Owing to its flavour profile, millet flour’s potential goes far deeper than that of roti and porridges. Consider cooking with millet flour into your go-to dishes to add a unique, nuttier take on your regular recipes. For instance, you may use millet flour as a direct substitute for wheat flour. These can include dishes such as cakes, pancakes, waffles or even a millet-filled take on missi roti, bedmi poori or crackers and biscuits. That said, you may need to adjust the liquid content as well as the proofing method of your millet dough. This is due to its absorbent ability and lack of gluten, respectively.
So, what can you make with millet flour? Here are some of the cooking ideas for millet flour you may try at home to answer this question:
Swap your refined flour crepes with millet flour ones. For this, combine millet flour with water, an egg, vanilla extract, some honey and a splash of milk. Whisk this mix until smooth, and pour thinly over a heated pan. Serve with fresh fruits.
This is one of the unique ways to use millet flour in cooking. To prepare it, you need mashed potatoes, eggs, millet flour and parmesan cheese. Knead this to create a dough and shape it further into small gnocchi. Cook in boiling water until cooked and later toss in your favourite sauce.
Here’s what to make with millet flour; warm and dense falafels. In a bowl, combine cooked chickpeas, chopped onion, garlic, cumin, coriander with millet flour and seasonings. Form these into patties and fry away!
We have explored the ingredient, understood its benefits and seen a few ways to use millet flour in cooking. What are you waiting for, then? There is a whole new world of healthy culinary possibilities waiting for you with millet flour.
