Union Budget 2023: Superfood & Powerhouse Of Nutrients: 5 Recipes To Try Out To Celebrate The International Year Of Millets

There's no better time like now to welcome millets into your kitchen.Not only has the United Nations General Assembly declared 2023 as the International Year Of Millets, even the Union Budget 2023 is pushing for India to be the global hub of millets. Notably, India is already the country being the largest producer and second largest exporter of millets.Often referred to as a superfood and ‘smart food’, millets are not only good for your health but for the planet too. A powerhouse of nutrients, millets can help lower cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and the risk of heart disease. The biggest health benefit of adding a variety of millets (like ragi, bajra, jowar) to our diets would be the high amount of dietary fibre found in them that directly feeds the symbiotic flora of bacteria in our gut.They are high in protein, anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins, and are naturally gluten-free.They also have anti-inflammatory and can help protect against various diseases. Additionally, they can improve digestion and help with weight management.Health Budget: Focus On Making India Global Millet Hub, 157 New Nursing CollegesThe best part? They’re an easy ingredient to experiment with in your kitchen. Millets cook fairly fast. In fact, foxtail millets cook as fast as quinoa or brown rice. To make a gluten-free dough for recipes like millet chapati or millet bread, it’s all mixed in a matter of minutes.Sometimes my friends call me the lazy chef for always cooking with millets as it’s so easy and fast to cook with them.Fun fact: Millet grains are one of the oldest food that was consumed by humans.Here are five recipes to cook with millets, a versatile and gluten-free grain, that you’ll fall in love with:Kerala Has Made 'Health Card' Mandatory For Those In Food Industry – Why?Time: 45 minutesYield: 12Dry:170 gm ragi2.5 gm baking powder0.6 gm baking soda 125 gm jaggeryWet:60 gm coconut oil 60 gm tahini55 gm water5 gm vanilla120 gm dark chocolate chunksIn a bowl, whisk all the dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl, whisk together all the wet ingredients. Now mix the wet with the dry until smooth. Add chocolate chunks and mix well to combine.Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Shape into 50 grams of flat cookies and bake at 180C for 20 to 25 minutes turning halfway. Once the bottom is golden brown, transfer to a cooling rack, and let cool for 15 minutes before storing in an air-tight box for up to 4 days.Rediscovering Lost Superfoods: A Guide to Cooking With MilletsTime: 60 minutesYield: 6Ingredients:1 cup ragi or jowar flour1 tbsp psyllium husk½ tsp salt1 cup boiling waterAdd the dry ingredients to a glass/ceramic bowl and mix well. Add hot water and use a spoon to mix well into a dough. Add more flour if the dough is sticky and knead it into a smooth dough. Let it cool for 10 minutes before shaping.Take a handful of dough, about 45-60 grams, and use a rolling pin to shape a thin round tortilla. Optionally use a plate to round the edges.Cook on a hot pan for one minute on one side and around 30 seconds on the other. Store in a hot case to maintain softness.Ingredients:3 red onion slices 3 tomato slices3 cucumber slices2 tbsp smoky cheddar-style cheese2 tbsp coleslaw1 tsp ketchup1 tortilla bread1 burger patty2-4 mixed greens (rocket, lettuce, baby spinach)Place a tortilla on a work surface. Place the greens, add onion, tomato, and cucumber, followed by burger mayo or tahini carrot slaw. Crush the burger patty in two and place it on top of the vegetables. Add the ketchup.To roll the burrito, lift the backside of the tortilla and roll it over the fillings. Tuck it under the filling, fold the sides and roll it. Place the roll on a pan or a griller and cook from all sides. Serve it with a crunchy side salad, muhammara, and/or multi-seed crackers.Let's Soup Up This Winter With These Mouth-Watering RecipesTime: 10 minutesYield: 2 cupsIngredients:2 frozen bananas1 ½ cup soy milk 6 dates, pitted2 tbsp ragi/finger millet flourIn a blender, add all the ingredients and blend until smooth.Recipes: Barley Can Keep Your Sugar in Check This Festive SeasonTime: 25 minutesYield: 5 burger pattiesIngredients:200 grams beetroot, grated½ cup foxtail millet, soaked, drained, and cooked with 1 cup of water2 tbsp mint, chopped1 tsp salt4 tbsp cornstarch1 tsp veg bouillon powder Oil for fryingIn a bowl, add all the ingredients and mix well. Shape into five equal-sized burger patties.Place them on an iron skillet and fry the burgers on medium heat, around 3 minutes on each side. Serve fresh.Time: 15 minutesYield: 6 burgersIngredient:4 tbsp cashew paste1 tbsp BBQ sauce (optional)1 tsp Dijon mustard1 tsp ketchupWhisk! Store for up to 3 days in an airtight container.Try Gujjuben’s Special Chole Puri Recipe Time: 60 minutesYield: 2 sheets or 280 gramsIngredients:115 grams finger millet flour 65 grams sunflower seeds 65 grams sesame seeds40 grams flaxseed40 grams of pumpkin seeds1.4 grams psyllium husk 40 grams sunflower oil 1 cup boiling water⅛ tsp salt½ tsp salt (sprinkle evenly before baking)Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl, add hot water, and form a slightly sticky dough. You can avoid oil and replace it with 20 ml of water.Place a handful of the dough onto parchment paper, cover with another parchment paper, and roll into a flat sheet.Remove the top parchment and use a knife to cut it into the desired shape. Bake at 160C for 20-25 minutes or until crispy. Enjoy with dips/spreads of your choice.Budget 2023: It's High Time Public Health Spending is Made a Top Priority

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Focus On Millets in Budget 2023: Five Fun Recipes Of the Superfood

Here are five recipes to cook with millets, a versatile and gluten-free grain, that you’ll fall in love with.

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