When winter mornings call for hearty and wholesome breakfasts, why not try something that keeps you warm and energised? Bajra, or pearl millet, is an excellent choice during this season. This ancient grain is packed with nutrients like fibre, protein, and essential minerals, making it a perfect addition to your morning meals.
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Bajra helps in maintaining your energy levels and is beneficial for your overall health. It can be cooked in many different ways, giving you a variety of tasty options to choose from. Here are seven nutritious bajra breakfast dishes you can easily prepare for a healthy start to your day.
Seven Nutritious Bajra Dishes To Start Your Day
Bajra Wada
Bajra wada is a crunchy and savoury snack that is perfect for breakfast. To make this dish, soak bajra overnight, then grind it into a coarse paste. Mix in spices like cumin, coriander, and finely chopped onions. Shape the mixture into small patties and deep-fry them until golden brown. Serve hot with green chutney or yoghurt for a delicious and crispy start to your day.
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Bajra Idli
Bajra idlis are a healthy twist on the traditional rice idli. To prepare this dish, soak bajra and urad dal separately overnight. The next day, blend them into a smooth batter. Let it ferment for a few hours. Pour the batter into idli moulds and steam them for about 10–15 minutes. The result is soft, fluffy idlis that are perfect for breakfast. Serve them with coconut chutney or sambar for a filling meal.
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Bajra Chilla
Bajra chillas are savoury pancakes that are easy to make. To prepare them, mix bajra flour with water, chopped vegetables like onions and tomatoes, and spices. Pour the batter onto a hot pan to form thin pancakes. Cook until both sides are golden brown. These chillas are nutritious and can be enjoyed with yoghurt or chutney, making for a satisfying breakfast.
Bajra Porridge
Bajra porridge, or bajra raab, is a warm and comforting dish. To make this porridge, roast bajra flour in a pan until it turns golden. Then, gradually add water while stirring to avoid lumps. Cook until it thickens, and add jaggery for sweetness. This warm porridge is not only tasty but also great for keeping you cosy on chilly mornings.
Bhajra Upma
Bajra upma is a delicious and filling breakfast dish. Start by dry roasting bajra flour and set it aside. In a pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds, curry leaves, and chopped vegetables like peas and carrots. Add water and bring it to a boil. Then, slowly mix in the roasted bajra flour, stirring continuously. Cook until it thickens. This savoury dish is perfect for a warm, healthy breakfast.
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Bajra Khichdi
Bajra khichdi is a simple and nutritious dish. To prepare it, wash bajra and moong dal together. In a pressure cooker, heat some oil and add cumin seeds, chopped onions, and ginger. Sauté for a few minutes, then add the washed bajra and dal along with water and spices. Cook until everything is soft and well combined. This khichdi is wholesome and perfect for cold mornings.
Bajra Roti
Bajra roti is a staple flatbread that pairs well with many dishes. To make bajra roti, knead bajra flour with water to form a soft dough. Roll the dough into small balls and flatten them into round discs. Cook on a hot griddle until both sides are cooked. Serve these rotis with ghee and jaggery for a traditional winter breakfast.