Innovative Recipes for Modern Kitchens: Cooking with Ragi, Jowar, and Bajra

In this fast paced life that we are living currently, it is important to remember to nourish our bodies with wholesome food. Ancient grains like Ragi, Jowar, and Bajra have been around for centuries, cherished by generations for their nutritional value and versatility in the kitchen. With people being more health-conscious and mindful, millets are again gaining popularity, and our kitchens have started replacing rice and wheat with millets.

In 2024, a noticeable shift in eating patterns, habits, sustainable food choices, and health awareness is being observed. People have started reading labels and are now ingredients aware and they are making smart choices. Processed and ultra-processed foods are being avoided, rice has been replaced with millet, and wheat with bajra, ragi, and jowar. Packed with essential nutrients, these millets offer a myriad of health benefits, from improved digestion to enhanced cardiovascular health. Millets are used to make many things, right from – salad to desserts, roti to chilla, and cakes to biscuits.

Ragi:

Finger millet is a powerhouse of nutrition.

Rich in calcium, iron, and fiber.

How to incorporate in daily meals :

Start your day on a healthy note with a Ragi smoothie bowl topped with fresh fruits and nuts. For lunch or dinner, try making Ragi flatbread pizzas or crispy Ragi dosas stuffed with flavorful fillings. And don’t forget to satisfy your sweet tooth with decadent Ragi chocolate brownies or cookies

Jowar :

Gluten-free and high in antioxidants,

Perfect for those with dietary restrictions or food sensitivities.

 How to incorporate?

Shake up your snack game with crunchy Jowar flakes chivda. For a satisfying meal, whip up a batch of Jowar vegetable stir-fry or savory Jowar idli’s stuffed with savory fillings. For dessert, indulge in guilt-free Jowar energy bars or moist Jowar flakes carrot cake muffins.

Bajra :

It has a nutty flavor and hearty texture

It’s an excellent alternative to rice or wheat.

How to incorporate?

Start your day with a warm bowl of Bajra poha topped with veggies and nuts or bajra dahi poha. For lunch or dinner, serve up a comforting bowl of Bajra khichdi loaded with vegetables and spices. For a unique twist on classic desserts, try making Bajra flakes coconut ladoo.

By embracing these ancient grains, you can create innovative recipes that cater to modern palettes while honoring traditional culinary heritage. Let’s see some interesting recipes :

Millet Muesli Breakfast Bowl

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Millet Muesli mix ( mix 3 flavours )
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Fresh fruits (e.g., berries, banana, mango)
• Nuts and seeds (e.g., almonds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds)
• Garnish with crushed millet bar

Instructions:

• In a bowl, mix the Millet Muesli with Greek yogurt and honey until well combined.
• Top the mixture with fresh fruits of your choice and sprinkle with nuts and seeds. Garnish with a crushed millet bar for a crunchy flavor.
• Serve chilled and enjoy a nutritious and delicious breakfast.

Jowar-Bajra Dahi poha : ( gopalkala with modern twist )

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Jowar-Bajra flake mix
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 cup curd
• ½ cup peanuts
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 green chili, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, bell peppers, etc.), finely chopped
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan and add seeds. Let them splutter.
2. Add peanuts and let it turn a little crisp,
3. Next, add in chopped onion and green chili. Sauté until the onion turns translucent.
4. Add the vegetables and cook until they are tender. And keep aside.
5. Wash jowar- bajra flakes in running water and soak for some time until it softens.
6. In a serving bowl add flakes and curd and mix the veggies mix we cooked, and mix well.
7. Garnish it.

Mixed Millet Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup fruit and nuts muesli
• 1 ripe banana/mango, frozen
• 1/2 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 1 tablespoon almond butter or peanut butter
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• Ice cubes
• Garnish with almond choco crunch muesli

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine the fruit and nuts millet muesli, frozen banana/mango, almond or peanut butter, almond milk, and honey or maple syrup.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Add ice cubes.
4. Pour into a bowl, garnish with almond choco crunch muesli, and serve immediately.
5. Enjoy your nutritious Mixed Millet Smoothie!

Cooking millet doesn’t have to be complicated to traditional. You just need to add your creativity,  and you can whip up delicious meals that are both nutritious, satisfying and modern.

Until next time, happy cooking!