Varagarisi Chakkarapongal / Kodo Millet Sweet Pongal

Millet recipes are on for this week. Millet provides a host of nutrients, has a sweet nutty flavor, and is considered to be one of the most digestible and non-allergenic grains available. It is one of the few grains that is alkalizing to the body.

Millet has always been a favorite grain of mine since I discovered it in my hippy days in the 70’s!

Read about millet’s 12 health benefits, some interesting trivia and history, 10 tips how to use it, and 3 delicious millet recipes.

12 Health Benefits:

1. Millet is alkaline and it digests easily.

2. The Hunzas – who live in a remote area of the Himalayan foothills and are known for their excellent health and longevity – enjoy millet as a staple in their diet.

3. Millet will hydrate your colon to keep you from being constipated.

4. Millet acts as a prebiotic feeding microflora in your inner ecosystem.

5. The serotonin in millet is calming to your moods.

6. Millet is a smart carb with lots of fiber and low simple sugars. Because of this it has a relatively low glycemic index and has been shown to produce lower blood sugar levels than wheat or rice. (Kamari and Sumathi, 2002)

7. Magnesium in millet can help reduce the effects of migraines and heart attacks.

8. Niacin (vitamin B3) in millet can help lower cholesterol.

9. Millet consumption decreases triglycerides and C-reactive protein. Scientists in Seoul, South Korea concluded that millet may be useful in preventing cardiovascular disease. Nutrition Research. April 2010; 30(4):290-6.

10. All millet varieties show high antioxidant activity. A team of biochemists analyzed the antioxidant activity; all varieties showed high antioxidant activity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 9 June 2010; 58(11):6706-14.

11. Millet is gluten-free and non-allergenic. A great grain for sensitive individuals.

12. Millet’s high protein content (15 percent) makes is a substantial addition to a vegetarian diet.

I have already posted few millet recipes. SNow, starting with a sweet recipe. It can be all time favorite for most of us. Its none other than Chakkapongal. Its most yummiest when done in millets. 

Ingredients:

• Varagarisi  - 1 cups
• Moong dal - 1/2 cup
• Jaggery- 11/2 cups
• Ghee
• Cashew
• Milk - half cup
• Cardamom powde
• Water

Method:

• Wash and soak millet and moong dal together for about 30 hr.
• Cook the soaked millet and moong dal for about 4-5 whistles in cooker.
• Dissolve the  Jaggery in water and Strain it.
• Allow it to boil.
• Add milk to the jaggery and allow it to boil.
• then add the cooked millet and dal. Stir it well.
• Add ghee,cardamom and cashew.
• Ready to serve. :D
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