Pearl Millet(Jowar) Vegetable Stew.And the winners...

Contrary to the dull,bone-chilling and lifeless weather outside, this heartwarming invigorating stew is just what one needs to drive the winter blues away.



Pearl Millet is another hearty whole grains like barley or farro,that is ideal for making wholesome stews that is all-vegan.To get the best of the flavor,the stew needs to be cooked at low heat and vegetables should be added when millet is almost tender,so the vegetables still retain there crunchiness and color.
Recipe: Pearl Millet(Jowar) Vegetable Stew
Serves 2-3
Ingredients
1 cup Pearl Millet
1 large onion,finely chopped
1 plum tomato,finely chopped
1/2 pound of fresh or frozen vegetables,chopped(Carrots,peppers,broccoli and others of choice)
1 teaspoon fresh ginger,finely grated
2 cloves garlic,finely grated
1/2 teaspoon hot chili powder or cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or canola oil
Fresh herbs for garnish(Parsley,cilantro or baby fenugreek/methi)

Method
Rinse Pearl Millet in cold water and set aside.
Heat the oil on medium heat in a large pot or skillet. Add the onions ,saute for 2 minutes until translucent, then add the garlic,ginger,tomatoes ,turmeric and chili powder.Add the Millet,saute for 3-4 minutes,then add 3 cups of water.Cover and simmer for 40-45 minutes until slightly tender to touch,then add the chopped mushrooms and simmer another 10-15 minutes on low heat vegetables and millet are tender.Serve warm with some fried onions.
You can also use a slow cooker and cook for 2-3 hours or a pressure cooker takes about 25-30 minutes on medium-low heat.Be sure to add vegetables when the millet is almost tender.


The recipe is my entry for this weeks' Weekend Herb Blogging #266,hosted by Cinzia from Cindystar

Dr.Axe's Real Food Diet Cookbook Giveaway

The winners have been chosen:

1.Jennifurla
2.Zanjabil
3.RARA - AVIS

Congratulations !! Please contact me(at YasmeenHealthnut@gmail.com) in next 7 days to receive your free copy.

Pearl Millet(Jowar) Pilaf

Pearl Millet - gems of good health


The sustaining cereal of the dessert lands in Asia and Africa ,millet are power houses of good health - gluten free ,easily digestible(hypoallergenic) ,rich in protein, minerals and B vitamins.Common kinds - Finger Millet(Ragi),Green millet(Bajri) and Pearl Millet(Jowar),all are available in both flour and grain form,in most Asian stores or health foods stores.
The flour is good for breads and flat breads,the texture is more wholesome and nothing like the wheat breads.Use in combination with wheat flour for added nutrition.


The whole millet are perfect in pilaf\pulao and makes a nutritious addition in stews and salads.My recipe here for succulent Pearl millet pilaf is a wholesome entree, has a chewy bite to it ,but one can add more water and cook longer for a more softer texture.



Recipe :Pearl Millet(Jowar) Pilaf\Pulao
Serves 2-3
Ingredients
2 cups Pearl Millet(Jowar),soaked over night
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cups Broccoli(or cauliflower) florets
1 big clove garlic,minced
1/2 inch fresh ginger root,minced
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil,divided
4 cups vegetable broth or water
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Chili powder or cayenne
1/2 teaspoon each of cumin and coriander powder
pinch of turmeric
2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime\lemon juice
1 sweet pepper,seeded and sliced for garnish


Method
Drain the water from the soaked millet.Heat a skillet with lid or use a pressure cooker,add 2 teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil and onion,Saute until translucent about 2-3 minutes;add garlic,ginger and spices ,then stir in the millet and season with salt,add the water ,cover and cook,about an hour in the skillet and 30 minutes in the pressure cooker,until the millet is soft and cooked through.

Saute the broccoli separately in pan ,add a teaspoon of oil and season with salt and spices,cook for 4-5 minutes on medium heat.

To serve,lay the cooked millet pilaf on the plate,top with broccoli and garnish with fresh sweet pepper slices.Squeeze some lime juice all over.Serve warm.



I'm sharing this with Weekend Herb Blogging #234 ,hosted this week by ,Astrid from Paulchen's Foodblog

A perfect baby food and diabetic friendly, Ragi(Finger millet) Porridge

Ragi(Finger millet) is predominately a crop grown in Africa and Asia.I was introduced to this wonder food few years back by a South Indian friend when discussing about perfect baby foods.The nutritious ragi ,fed to babies(6 months and up), happens to be a popular one among Indian moms.No wonder,Ragi is a good source of vital nutrients including calcium ,iron,B vitamins, Protein, Carbohydrate, Iodine and minerals.Also its sugar free nature,makes it ideal for diabetics and as such every health-conscious being.Ragi(flour or seeds) is found in any well stocked Indian stores.

I use fine ground flour for making this porridge.Although you could use the ragi seeds soaked overnight and grind to a paste with little water and use the paste instead of the flour.Add some flavor to enhance the taste.Young or old this can be a equally enjoyable breakfast porridge.

Recipe : Diabetic friendly Ragi Porridge
Ingredients
serves 2
2 cups reduced fat Organic milk
1 1/2 tablespoon(about 5 teaspoon) Ragi flour
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon brown or red rice flour(optional)
2 teaspoon Low GI sugar substitutes like Agave nectar
1 cup fresh or frozen fruits,chopped

Method
Mix the ragi flour,cocoa powder,cardamom and rice flour in a small bowl.
In a small saucepan,start heating the milk on medium-low,while the milk warms,stir in the ragi mixture.Keep stirring constantly to prevent lumps,use a whisk for best results.Turn the heat off when mixture is thickened with porridge like consistency.Mix in the sugar substitute and fruits.Serve warm.I also add some nuts to mine.

How do you like your Ragi?