The benefits and usability of millets are quite well known. However, when we actually decide to cook with these grains, the result, at times, is not quite what we expect. This can make us eventually shy away from cooking millets at all. But we cannot let that happen. Be it whole grains or flour, there is a certain way how to prepare millet. These tips and the detailed step-by-step instructions can make your life so much easier the next time you think of attempting millet recipes at home. So, get your chef’s hat ready, because we have a holistic guide to simplify the process with little tips that will help you embark on a new journey to integrate these millets into your modern kitchen.
Essentially, millets are a group of grains or small-seeded cereals that can be used in a range of dishes. The crops are famously known to be resilient to the weather and can survive through harsh ecological conditions. Such properties make them a viable crop to cultivate year-round. This is what makes them sustainable for farmers.
For us, the end consumers, millets are just as beneficial. The grains are a nutritional powerhouse. They hold a range of essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, vitamin B complexes and several minerals. These properties make millet an exceptional source of sustained energy. Moreover, the grains are also a wonderful dietary fibre for the body, helping with gut health and weight management.
In several households, millet also makes for a great alternative to rice and wheat. This can be due to their range of benefits, ease of millet preparation and their wide range of types. On the topic of varieties of millets, here are a few you may find in your local supermarket:
The best way to cook millet is by either using these as a combination or a stand-alone carbohydrate in your recipe.
Soaking millet is often treated as an optional step when you look up ‘how to prepare millet’. Well, it could be, but not quite. While not strictly necessary, soaking the grains is a good culinary practice and there are several reasons for this.
Firstly, soaking millet for a sufficient amount of time allows you to drastically reduce the cooking time for millet. The process also helps with the reduction of tannins as well as phytic acid in the grains. Now, here’s why you should care about this element. Phytic acid is an anti-nutrient present in millets that may hinder your absorption of certain minerals. By lowering the amount of phytic acid, soaked millets can help the body retain minerals such as iron and zinc.
So, ultimately, the decision rests on your preferences and time constraints. If you are short on time, you can always skip and adjust the cooking time for millet to suit the recipe. However, if you prefer a softer millet texture, you may always soak them for longer.
If you are wondering how to cook millet, Indian style, then there are several ways. Traditionally, we are quite familiar with millet flours such as ragi, bajra and jowar. But cooking whole millet is where the beginners mostly face issues. Practically, when we prepare millets, the water-to-millet ratio should be maintained at 2:1 or 2.5:1. This will ensure that they turn fluffy and are not hard to chew. Apart from these ingredients, all you need is a pinch of salt. Additionally, if you want to add a bit of an umami taste to your dish, then you may always replace the amount of water with vegetable stock.
Since the grains are small, it is difficult to clean them. Hence, the best way to do so is to thoroughly rinse them in a cheesecloth or sieve. It is an integral hygiene step that should not be missed. You may do so by rinsing the millets under cold running water. Once any remaining impurities are removed, drain the excess water with a sieve.
Now, add about more than twice the amount of millets to the vessel containing the rinsed millet. Leave this in a cool place to soak for a minimum of 4-8 hours. You may also leave them out overnight if you want to have millets as a morning breakfast option.
When you are ready to cook the millet, take a deep saucepan and add the required amount of water to it with a pinch of salt. Bring this to a boil and transfer the soaked millets into the saucepan gently. Allow it to boil for a bit, after which bring the heat down to a low simmer with the lid on. Let this cook undisturbed for at least 15-20 minutes until the millets are tender.
After the millets have cooked thoroughly, take the saucepan off the heat. Do not take the lid off and let the millets rest for another 5-10 minutes. This proves to be a great way if you were curious about how to cook a millet. The process allows for the absorption of any remaining broth or water.
The last step is fluffing the grains with a fork lightly. This helps the millet grains detach if they are clumped up. With this, the how-to-make millet guide comes to an end. Simply serve the tender millets as you would.
Cooking is much easier with tips and techniques. Here are a few things to bear in mind when cooking millets:
With these tips, you may make a range of millet recipes. After you master the art of how to prepare millet, a few dishes that you must try at home are millet salads, bread, khichdi, dosa and so much more. The grains are truly an untapped culinary potential. So, whether you are new to cooking with millets or an experienced cook willing to refresh their skills, this guide will serve as a valuable resource to all in their own culinary journey.
