Ragi, sometimes referred to as finger millet, is a very wholesome cereal grain that is high in fibre, calcium, iron, and vital amino acids. Because of its low glycemic index, it has advantages for better digestion, stronger bones, and diabetes management, as known from the study mentioned in the article by the National Institute of Health.
It's simple to incorporate ragi into your diet; you may create dosa, idli, roti, porridge, biscuits, and cookies with ragi flour. Additionally, smoothies, soups, and baked goods can be made using it. A balanced diet can benefit from the nutrient boost that ragi offers as well as the promotion of general health and well-being.
Here is a list of ragi-based dishes to add to our diet:
1. Ragi Idli:
Made with ragi flour and rice or urad dal, ragi idli is a healthy and gluten-free take on the classic idli. To make, combine ragi flour with urad dal or rice batter, let it ferment, and then steam it in idli moulds. A portion of vegetable sambar and hot tomato chutney or coconut chutney is served with hot ragi idlis. They make a tasty and nutritious breakfast or snack since they are fluffy, soft, and full of ragi deliciousness.
Video credit: YouTube/ Hebbars Kitchen
2. Rag Roti:
A wholesome flatbread made with ragi flour is called ragi roti. To make the dough, blend ragi flour, water, salt, and optionally chopped onions, green chillies, and coriander leaves. Form the dough into balls, press them into discs, and cook them until they are golden brown on both sides on a hot griddle. A side of fresh coconut chutney or niger seed chutney is an ideal accompaniment for ragi roti, making it a filling and nutritious dish.
3. Ragi Ladoo:
A tasty and healthful Indian dessert, ragi ladoo is made with ragi flour, almonds, ghee, and either jaggery or sugar. Ragi flour is toasted in ghee until it turns golden, then cardamom powder is stirred in, followed by chopped almonds and powdered jaggery or sugar. While the mixture is still warm, form it into little round balls, or ladoos. Ragi ladoos can be served as a nutritious dessert or snack that is ideal for satisfying sweet cravings.
4. Ragi Manni:
A classic South Indian dessert, ragi manni is made with cardamom, jaggery, coconut milk, and ragi flour. To make it, simmer cardamom, jaggery syrup, and coconut milk with ragi flour until it thickens. After that, the mixture is put into moulds and refrigerated to solidify. For extra texture and taste, ragi manni is usually served chilled as a dessert or snack and decorated with chopped nuts or grated coconut. It's a tasty and nourishing treat, particularly in the summer.
5. Ragi Dosa:
A healthy and gluten-free take on the classic dosa is the ragi dosa. To make it, soak the rice, urad dal, and ragi for the entire night, then combine them into a homogeneous batter. To make crispy dosas, spread the batter thinly over a hot griddle after letting it ferment for a few hours. For a tasty and filling South Indian dinner, serve ragi dosa with coconut chutney, sambar, or hot tomato chutney.
6. Ragi Mudde:
A popular South Indian dish called Ragi Mudde is prepared with ragi flour and water. In order to prepare, bring a pan of water to a boil, then gradually add the ragi flour, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Cook until the mixture takes on the consistency of the dough and thickens. Form the dough into spherical balls or dumplings called "mudde." Ragi Mudde makes a hearty and satisfying dinner when it's served with sambar, chutney, or a hot curry.
7. Ragi Cookies:
Ragi flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, salt, and a sweetener like sugar or jaggery go into the preparation of these cookies. To make a dough, add milk, vanilla essence, and melted butter. The dough is rolled out, shaped into cookies, and baked until golden brown. Serve these healthy cookies as a guilt-free dessert alternative or as a pleasant snack with a cup of hot tea or coffee.