Friday, April 20, 2018

Nachani (Finger Millet / Ragi) ~ Jaggery Porridge (Bolu).



"Nachani ani Goda Kadailele (Bolu) / Finger Millet Sweet Porridge / Ragi Manni" ... A delicious age old traditional dish that my Mother who learned it from my Grandma, prepared and fed us through our childhood to make us healthier and stronger …..


** A few days back I had posted Nachani Halwa and this falls actually close to the same. When you cook it further from the bolu stage it becomes halwa. So the recipe is almost the same with very minute difference in cooking stage. This is a dish that is prepared and fed to small aged children as it is not only sweet but is very nutritious and good for their overall development. Nachani / Ragi / Finger millet has high source of calcium and the addition of jaggery / gud / goda increases the iron level. 

** Very small children are fed this as it is but for older children you can add on some coarsely powdered dry fruits, which not only gives a crunch taste but increase the protein and vitamin levels. I will not go to much explanation on Nachani as I have already written about its importance so many times whenever I make posts of Ragi / Nachani. So here I am just adding on the simple recipe for the same, I have many more such recipes that are easy to prepare and good for health, will be adding them soon too. So do keep an eye on my Blog for the same. 

** Trust me it is loaded with health benefits and is very good for all age group people to maintain good health. It will give added bonus of calcium to youngsters, which it will boost teenagers energy level and for the older generation it is really necessary. Specially women come across calcium problem once they cross the age of 35-40. And this will provide if not all at least some relieve for those aging bones. I have benefited and I really hope you do do too. Try it if nothing enjoy it as a dessert. But remember you have add it into your daily diet in some form or the other to recipes to get the real benefits. 


** Recipe for Nachani is really simple and almost similar to halwa recipe posted earlier …. Just mix one cup of finely ground nachani powder with 4 cups of water and mix well. See to it that there are no lumps. Keep it aside for 30 minutes to get soaked. The nachani will settle down and there will be some water on top. Tilt the vessel and drain off that water. Add another 3 cups of water and mix well. This step is carried out to soften the texture of the Nachani, some do not follow this and carry on directly. You may choose any method. 

** Now put the mixture on medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring often. If the heat is high and the sides gets cooked faster, lower the heat. The nachani when cooked reduces in quantity. When it is about to thicken add in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of grated jaggery, 1 tblsp of fresh homemade ghee and mix well till it get mixed properly and there is no jaggery pieces left. Remove from fire immediately and serve it hot immediately after adding on some coarsely ground dry fruits and cardamom powder. 

** Note : You can add in add in a cup of milk and reduce the amount of water too if you like. I do not add milk, but it is good as it increases the protein level and you can do so when children are reluctant to drink plain milk. 

** If you want to serve it cold add in another cup of hot water mix well and then put it in the fridge for cooling. It will thicken again and be the right consistency while serving. Cold one’s too taste awesome, specially during summer months. 

** The consistency should be that of bolu / ceralac / manni given to children. Just before serving garnish with 1 tblsp of coarsely powdered dry fruits that contain almonds, walnuts, cashew nuts and pistas. 


** A simple "Nachani ani Goda Kadailele (Bolu) / Finger Millet Sweet Porridge / Ragi Manni" is done and ready to be relished. Do give it a try, Rome was not built in a day, so do not expect results immediately, but gradually, you will see the difference it brings about in your family health. Do add this millet into your food even if children or family shows reluctance in eating it, slowly it will become a habit and there are so many dishes that can be made out of it that I am sure you will find some suitable and liking to your family.

** You can use the search option for "Nachni or Nachani or Ragi or Finger Millet" where you will get many more dishes prepared using it. Do try out various types of dishes to relish with dosa / Idly / roti etc. or with dal-chawal too. Enjoy the dishes with your family and friends and do give me a feedback if possible. You can also click on the link below for checking the same.

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