25 mins
15 minsWhen in need of something warm and comforting to brighten your mornings, kangani sweet porridge or lapsi is the way to go. This dish is a wholesome traditional Gujarati sweet dish made with fox millets, clarified butter and nuts. Creamy once cooked, foxtail millet’s grain is often said to resemble paddy rice. This interesting perk makes it versatile to be used in dishes like salads, dosas, porridge and so on. Foxtail millet has been a staple across the country for a long time. It has stood the test of time due to its ease of farming in the arid weather. Moreover, its plethora of health benefits makes it a hero in any dish it is added to. Here we have substituted the original broken wheat (Dalia) with the foxtail millet to give it the boost of nutrients you need to make your day richer. Serving about 2-3 individuals, enrich your meals with the goodness of millet and ghee with this foxtail millet porridge recipe. Make this bowl of wholesomeness within minutes.
Here’s an easy guide to making Lapsi Foxtail Millet (Kangani) Sweet Porridge:
Step 2: To the same pan, add foxtail millet with yellow moong dal, jaggery, cardamom and two cups of water. Cover the pan with a lid and cook, while occasionally stirring the mixture.
Step 3: The mixture will take approximately 30 minutes to cook. Once it is done, keep it aside.
Step 4: On the side, heat some ghee in another heavy-bottom pan. To this add cashew nuts and cook them until it’s golden brown. Now add this to the mixture of millet and lentils.
Step 5: Stir this well for about 2 to 3 minutes. Make sure the porridge is mixed well.
With this, your foxtail millet porridge is ready! This treat is best had warm. Make sure to garnish it with cashew nuts before serving.
Foxtail is another nutritious minor millet from the millet family. It’s cultivated across Africa and Asia as a food source or bird feed. Just like its contemporaries, the foxtail millet is gluten-free and presents a wide range of benefits when included in one’s diet.
The foxtail millet is rich in carbohydrates, mainly crude fibre. The grain when consumed in adequate amounts, is easy to digest and promotes healthy gut health. Patients with chronic constipation are often recommended to consume the millet to curb the condition.
One of the properties of the millet is its low glycemic index. Consuming low-GI foods will help maintain blood pressure, sugar levels and cholesterol. This makes foxtail millet a great choice for patients with diabetic and blood vascular diseases
The millet is a powerhouse of minerals and phytochemicals. These include iron, calcium magnesium and ferulic acid, as well as phenols to name a few. Such micronutrients are vital in maintaining the nervous system while supporting the muscle and bone structure of our bodies. The ferulic acid in the foxtail millet boosts skin and hair growth. Moreover, the antioxidants help fight against free radicals, and regular consumption of the millet is beneficial in building immunity.
To accommodate our diet, meal plans are always subject to variations. While this foxtail millet porridge makes a great option to curb your sweet cravings, this recipe can be altered as per your needs to suit your palate. Here are a few ways to do so.
When craving something filling and savoury, whip up a herb millet congee. Simply replace the sweeteners like jaggery in the original recipe with stir-fried vegetables, spices and herbs. You can even add in a protein of your choice to make it into a balanced meal.
Try making your own bowl of comfort, for sickness and flu with egg porridge. Adding eggs and shredded chicken, with minimal spices in a foxtail porridge, will ensure it is light on your belly. Keeping it healthy all the way.
If milky coconut porridges are your thing then you will need to recreate this coconut lapsi. Coconut milk and desiccated coconut, with the cardamom powder, make the dish decadent and subtly sweet. Top with some coconut flakes for some crunch.
Porridges are delicious while being wholesome. They can be easily customised to your dietary needs, and this kangani sweet porridge recipe ticks all the boxes. Its rich flavour and abundance of dietary benefits, make it a delightful addition to your mealtime.
