Ragi Manni: Healthy And Traditional Mangalorean Dessert
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We have a common misconception that desserts are not good for health. Though we enjoy eating something sweet, we feel guilty every single time. You know what? You don’t have to be guilty about eating meetha anymore! All you have to do is grab a bite of Ragi Manni and have a dessert which is the healthiest. As its name suggests, this traditional Mangalorean dessert has Ragi in it attributes to its health content.  

There was a time when Ragi was considered a poor man’s food but this millet has now paved its way to every other kitchen. For those who don’t know, Ragi is loaded with so many nutrients that can work like magic for the body. You may have heard of several dishes made up of Ragi but Ragi Manni is something that people hardly know about. Also known as nachani duddali, nachni satva, and ragi halbai, this is a jelly-like dessert made with a blend of ragi, jaggery, and coconut. All the ingredients used in it are healthy and will leave you satisfied once you have it. Great, isn’t it? 

Wanna know how to make this healthy dessert at home? Follow the steps below and make this delicious and healthy dessert at home. 

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup ragi 
  • 1 cup fresh coconut (grated) 
  • 2 cups jaggery (grated) (You can also use jaggery powder) 
  • 1 tbsp ghee 
  • 1 tsp cardamom powder 
  • Pinch of salt 
  • A handful of almonds, cashews, and pistachios (chopped) 

Method 

  • Start by washing ragi. When done, soak it in water for at least 5 to 6 hours. 
  • Then, drain the water and transfer the soaked ragi to a blender. 
  • Also, add water and grated coconut to the blender and blend everything together. 
  • Then, strain the mixture through the sieve. Squeeze out the milk. 
  • Again, put the residue in the mixer and blend it with water. 
  • Again, sieve the mixture and squeeze out the excess milk.  
  • Repeat the process and keep collecting the milk. Keep the collected milk aside. 
  • Heat a pan and add grated jaggery. 
  • Add water and melt the jaggery. 
  • Add the ragi coconut extract and let it cook on a low flame. 
  • Make sure you keep stirring the mixture. 
  • Add salt and ghee. Let it cook while stirring continuously. 
  • When the mixture starts to thicken, add chopped dry nuts.  
  • Also, add cardamom powder and mix, 
  • Keep stirring the mixture until the mixture leave sides. 
  • Turn off the flame and transfer the manni to a greased pan. 
  • Flatten the manni and let it cool. 
  • When cooled down properly, loosen the manni and unmould using a knife. 
  • Cut into pieces and refrigerate. 
  • Serve chilled. 

Enjoy!