Start with a Warming Millet Porridge
There's nothing quite like a warm bowl of porridge on a cool, rainy morning. Swap out your usual oats for millets like ragi (finger millet) or foxtail millet. These grains are packed with nutrients that help strengthen your body. Ragi, in particular,
is a powerhouse of calcium and iron. A warm millet porridge is gentle on the stomach and provides sustained energy, making it an ideal breakfast to kickstart a gloomy day. To prepare, simply cook your chosen millet with milk or water until creamy. Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom for extra warmth, and sweeten with jaggery. Top with nuts and seeds for a crunchy, nutritious finish.
Swap Rice for Millet Khichdi
Khichdi is the ultimate comfort food, especially during the monsoon. Give this classic dish a healthy upgrade by using millets instead of rice. Barnyard millet or foxtail millet are excellent choices as they are light and easy to digest, which is crucial when our digestive system tends to be sluggish in the humid weather. Millets are high in fibre, which aids digestion and helps detox the body. To make millet khichdi, pressure cook soaked millet with moong dal, a medley of your favourite vegetables, and mild spices like turmeric and cumin. Serve it hot with a dollop of ghee for a meal that is both incredibly satisfying and nourishing.
Reinvent Rotis with Jowar and Bajra
The monsoon is a great time to switch from wheat rotis to those made from millets like jowar (sorghum) and bajra (pearl millet). These gluten-free flours are known for their warming properties, which can be very comforting during the rains. Jowar is packed with antioxidants, while bajra is rich in iron, helping to boost immunity and prevent deficiencies. Knead jowar or bajra flour with warm water to make a soft dough and roll out bhakris or rotis. These flatbreads have a lovely, rustic flavour that pairs beautifully with seasonal vegetable curries and dals. They are a simple yet effective way to add more nutrients to your daily lunch or dinner.
Snack Smart with Millet Dosas and Cheelas
Instead of reaching for fried, maida-based snacks, satisfy your monsoon cravings with healthy millet dosas or cheelas. You can make instant dosas using ragi flour mixed with rice flour and curd or create savoury cheelas (pancakes) with bajra flour, spices, and finely chopped vegetables. These snacks are not only delicious but also light on the stomach and provide a good dose of protein and fibre. Ragi dosa is a fantastic way to get your calcium, while bajra cheela offers iron and energy. Serve them hot with coconut chutney for a guilt-free evening snack.
Indulge in a Healthy Ragi Dessert
Who says you have to give up sweets during the monsoon? You can enjoy a healthy and delicious dessert by making a ragi kheer or halwa. Finger millet has a natural, earthy sweetness that lends itself well to desserts. It's a fantastic way to satisfy your sweet tooth while also getting the benefits of its high calcium and iron content. To make a simple kheer, cook ragi flour with milk and jaggery until it thickens, flavouring it with cardamom and garnishing with nuts. This wholesome dessert is comforting and provides warmth, making it a perfect treat for a rainy night.
