Millets(chiru dhanyalu in telugu) are the oldest cultivated grains in India. Millets are rich in protein, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
There are various types of millets. You can use any millets like little millet, Kodo millet, Foxtail millet etc.
Contents
- What is Millet Pulao
- Ingredients
- How to prepare Millet Pulao – Step by step procedure
- Tips
What is Millet Pulao
Millet pulao is similar to vegetable pulao. Instead of rice we use millets to prepare this recipe. It is one pot dish made with combination of loads of vegetables, millets of your choice and some spices.
This is very easy to prepare, yet super tasty. You can pair this pulao with raita. I made this pulao in pressure cooker to save on time. You can make this pulao in a pot as well. I am using Kodo millet to prepare this pulao. This millet is highly nutritious and very good for diabetic patients.
Ingredients
Millets – Take any millets of your choice. I am using kodo millet to make this dish.
Vegetables – You can add as many as veggies you want in this dish. I am using carrot, potato and few beans.
Ghee – Ghee enhance the taste of the pulao, so i always prefer to use ghee for making pulao. If you don’t prefer ghee, you can use vegetable oil as well.
Spices – We add whole spices like cloves, green cardamom, star anise, cinnamon, cumin seeds and bay leaves. When we add in hot ghee, these spices releases nice aroma which enhances the flavor of the pulao.
Other Ingredients – Other than the above ingredients, you will need onions, tomato, green chilies, turmeric, ginger garlic paste, coriander and mint leaves.
How to prepare millet pulao – Step by step procedure
Soak 1 cup of kodo millet wash it well and let it soak. Meanwhile chop the vegetables required for this dish.
Add 2 table spoons of oil to cooker and add the whole spices. Whole spices include 1 bay leaf, 3 cloves, 2 green cardamom, 1 star anise, 1 tea spoon cumin seeds.
Once the spices releases the aroma add green chilies, chopped onions and sauté well till onions become translucent. Add 1 table spoon of ginger garlic paste and fry it well. Add chopped tomatoes and cook it well till they become mushy.
Now add the chopped vegetables and cook it for 2 minutes. Add salt and mix it well.
Add 1 tea spoon of chilli powder, 1 table spoon of coriander seed powder, half tea spoon cumin powder and mix it well.
Let it cook for 2 minutes and add mint leaves and coriander leaves. Add 2 cups of water and mix everything well.
Add soaked millets into the cooker and mix it well. Check for salt and add more if needed.
Close the lid and cook it for 3 whistles on the medium flame and let the pressure release naturally.
Tasty and healthy millet pulao is ready. Serve hot with raita of your choice.
Tips
- Soaking is key for fluffy pulao. Soak at least 20-30 minutes.
- Wash the millets thoroughly, at least 4 times because it may contain husk in it.
- I recommend not to add garam masala powder to this dish. Since kodo millet is very flavorful naturally, i do not add any masala’s.
- Always add mint leaves and coriander leaves to any pulao you make. It enhances the taste of the pulao.
