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The first meal of the day sets the tone for the rest of the day. That’s why power-packed breakfasts are such a good idea. They allow you to function well during the day and stay energised throughout. Instead of indulging in high-calorie food that makes you lethargic, it is best to start substituting whole wheat flour with something like ragi. Ragi, known as nachni in Hindi, is a type of flour that belongs to the millet family. Found in and around Asia and Africa, ragi is a super healthy cereal crop that can easily substitute for wheat and all-purpose flour. The benefits of ragi are immense, ranging from a high-protein source to a calcium-rich grain.
With such great benefits for health, ragi or finger millet is a perfect addition to high-powered breakfasts. From dosas to pancakes, there isn’t anything that cannot be made with ragi. In fact, the nutty flavour of ragi lends a unique taste to each dish to which it is added. Here are some ragi recipes that you should definitely try for breakfast.
1. Ragi Dosa
Dosa, for the unversed, is a kind of crepe that belongs to South India. The crispy crepe is usually made with rice flour and stuffed with a spicy potato filling, referred to as masala dosa. To make ragi dosa, the rice flour is replaced by ragi ka atta. This flour is mixed with water to form a thick batter. Poured on a pan, the batter is spread out evenly so that it turns out thin. Flipped to the other side, the dosa is ready once it attains a dark brown colour and is crispy. This can be served with coconut chutney or a tangy orange chutney.
2. Ragi Carrot Paratha
A popular breakfast in most parts of North India, parathas are a type of Indian flatbread. While a paratha could be plain, just a simple rolled out dough, there are several stuffed paratha varieties too. One of them is this carrot paratha. Instead of adding wheat flour to the mix, ragi flour is thrown in and the dough is kneaded. Once rolled out in a round shape, grated carrots are stuffed in it and it is folded to be rolled again. This is tossed on an iron griddle and served with a side of fresh curd and pickle.
3. Ragi Milk Porridge
This is a rich and decadent recipe which is not only full of healthy ingredients but also quite filling. The sprouted ragi is cooked together with milk and ghee. Stirred continuously until it thickens to a porridge-like consistency, ragi porridge is then flavoured with hints of cardamom and saffron. To enhance the richness of the bowl of breakfast, nuts like chopped walnuts, cashews, and almonds are garnished on top. The porridge melts in the mouth and is extremely soft and sweet in taste.
4. Ragi Banana Pancakes
Pancakes are types of flat cakes that are eaten for breakfast in many parts of the world. The pancake batter is prepared using a combination of whole wheat flour and ragi flour. The latter adds a nutritional value to the breakfast dish. Not just this, ripe mashed bananas are also added to the batter so that it becomes thick and full of fibre. The natural sweetness of bananas is enhanced with a drizzle of honey on the stack of pancakes. You can also add some chopped walnuts on top for the crunch.
5. Ragi Idli
Another dish from South India that is commonly eaten for breakfast is idli. For the unversed, idlis are small, round rice cakes. While, like dosa, they are also usually made with rice flour, in this recipe, a combination of rava and ragi is used to prepare the batter. A wholesome and nutritious treat, the ragi idlis are loaded with fibre and are also gluten-free. Ragi seeds and methi seeds are added to the batter for taste and the idlis are steamed until soft. These can then be served with coconut chutney on the side.
