Millets, small seed grasses, and cereal crops widely consumed in Africa and Asia, have made their mark in the Indian cuisine too. With varieties like pearl millets (bajra) and finger millets (ragi), millets offer a gluten-free option, making them ideal for weight loss and appealing to diabetic individuals. There are several lip-smacking millet-based recipes, including bajre ki roti, bajre ki khichdi, ragi paniyaram, and millet porridge. Notably, Chef Sanjeev Kapoor’s Instagram handle is a treasure trove for cooking recipes. Recently, he shared insightful tips on how one can enhance millet preparation, emphasizing their importance.
“Stocked your millets for the month? Now make sure to keep these simple tips in mind when cooking them,” he wrote. Here are a few hacks for cooking millet as guided by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor:
The process begins with washing the millet thoroughly. To do this, measure the required quantity of millet and place it in a bowl. Fill the bowl with water and agitate, allowing any impurities and dirt rise to surface. Repeat this rinsing process two to three times to ensure the millet is clean before cooking.
After washing, the next step is soaking the millet. Transfer the millet to a separate bowl and add ample amount of water. Let the millet soak for about 8 to 10 hours. Soaking the millet is beneficial as it helps reduce the cooking time. However, it’s important to note that some millet varieties, like Sambo, may not require overnight soaking.
Once the millet is properly soaked, it’s time to start the cooking process.
For Bajra (pearl millet):
- Take one cup of soaked Bajra and add one and a half cups of water to a pressure cooker.
- Season with salt to taste and let the millet cook for approximately 15 whistles on high heat.
For Jowar (sorghum):
- Take one cup of soaked Jowar, add one and three-fourths cups of water to the pressure cooker, and season with salt.
- Cook until you hear 12 whistles from the pressure cooker.
For Ragi (finger millet):
- Take one cup of soaked Ragi and pour one and a quarter cups of water into the pressure cooker.
- Add salt to taste and cook the millet for approximately 12 whistles on high heat.