Bajra (Pearl Millet) Fried Rice

 

           Bajra (Pearl Millet) is a wonderful substitute to rice. So try this yummy fried rice made of Bajra and serve something different to your family. It will be very much appreciated. Add in some of your favorite veggies or some boiled and shredded chicken / prawns for a non-veg. version. It can be relished just as it is or with any side dish. It makes for a healthy and a wholesome one-pot meal. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1/2 cup Bajra, soaked overnight
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 1 tbsp. ghee
• 1" cinnamon stick
• 2 green cardamom
• 4 cloves
• 2 dry red chilies
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1 tsp. ginger, chopped
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 cup mixed veggies, slightly steamed (opt)
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp. garam masala powder
• 7-8 cashew nuts
• 7-8 almonds
• 1-2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

           Pressure cook the soaked Bajra in sufficient water for 15-20 minutes on a low flame after the first whistle. Drain and keep aside. 

          Heat oil and ghee in a pan. Temper with bay leaves, dry red chilies, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, cumin seeds and ginger. Sauté for a few seconds.

           Add the onion and stir fry till light brown. Add the mixed veggies and stir fry for a minute. Now add the boiled Bajra, salt, cashews, almonds and garam masala powder.

          Mix Everything well and stir fry for 2 minutes. Switch off the flame and garnish with coriander leaves. Serve with any side dish or relish just as it is. 

                      Pressure cook soaked Bajra in sufficient water for 15 minutes on a low

                      flame after the first whistle. Drain and keep aside. 

                        Heat oil & ghee & temper with bay leaves, dry red chilies, cinnamon, 

                        cardamom, cloves, cumin seeds & ginger. Sauté for a few seconds.

                                  Add the onion and stir fry till light brown. 

                                 Add the mixed veggies & stir fry for a minute. 

                       Add the boiled Bajra, salt, cashews, almonds & garam masala powder.   

                       Mix well & stir fry for 2 minutes. 

                                  Switch off the flame & garnish with coriander leaves.

                                  Serve with any side dish or relish just as it is. 

Bajra Pakora (Pearl Millet Fritters)

           Make something different with the Bajra (Pearl Millet) grains. So how about some healthy and yummy pakoras for an enjoyable tea-time snack? It is made with few basic ingredients easily available in your kitchen and can be dished out in no time. 

          They can also be enjoyed hot, with kasundi (mustard sauce), tomato sauce or green chutney as appetizers too. They also tastes great with hummus or mayo. So check the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it. 

          As Bajra is packed with essential nutrients like fibre, protein, iron, etc. it is highly recommended in our diet. So make use of it by preparing these yummy pakoras / fritters. Potatoes can be substituted with sweet potato for a healthier version. So check for a step by step guide with pictures to prepare it.

• 1/2 cup bajra grains, soaked overnight (makes around 20-22)
• 1 potato, boiled & mashed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1" ginger, grated
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. roasted coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 2 fresh red chilies, chopped
• 2-3 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp. flaxseed
• oil to deep fry

          Pressure cook the bajra in sufficient water for 15 minutes on a low flame after the first whistle. Drain and add with rest of the above mentioned ingredients (except oil) into a dough.

           Make round balls out of it and refrigerate for some time. Heat oil in a pan and deep fry in batches till golden in colour.

           Drain on a kitchen towel and serve with kasundi (mustard sauce), tomato ketchup or green chutney for an evening tea-time snack. 

                     Pressure cook bajra in sufficient water for 15 min. on low flame after the 
                     first whistle. Drain & add rest of the ingredients (except oil) into a dough.

                                Make round balls out of it and refrigerate for some time.

                     Heat oil & deep fry in batches till golden. Drain on a kitchen towel.

                      Serve with kasundi (mustard sauce), tomato ketchup or green chutney for
                      an evening tea-time snack. 

Bajra (Pearl Millet) Tikki / Cutlet / Patty

         Introduce your family and friends to some healthy and yummy tikkis made of Bajra (Pearl Millet) for an enjoyable tea-time snack. It is made with few basic ingredients easily available in your kitchen and can be dished out in no time. 

          They can be enjoyed hot, with some tomato sauce or green chutney as appetizers too. They also tastes great with hummus and can be wrapped in parathas / chapattis for a lunch box meal. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

             As Bajra is packed with essential nutrients like fibre, protein, iron, etc. it is highly recommended in our diet. So make use of it by preparing these tikkis. Potatoes can be substituted with sweet potato for a healthier version. 

• 1/2 cup bajra grains, soaked overnight (makes around 10-12)
• 1 potato, boiled & mashed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1" ginger, grated
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. roasted coriander powder
• 1 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 2 fresh red chilies, chopped
• 2-3 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp. flaxseed
• oil to shallow fry

           Pressure cook the bajra in sufficient water for 15-20 minutes on a low flame after the first whistle. Drain and add with rest of the above mentioned ingredients (except oil) into a dough.

           Make round shaped tikkis out of it and refrigerate for some time. Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a tawa / pan and shallow fry the tikkis, few at a time, on both sides till light golden in colour.

           Drain on a kitchen towel and serve with tomato ketchup or green chutney for an evening tea-time snack. 

                            Mix boiled bajra with other ingredients (except oil) into a dough.

                    Make round shaped tikkis & refrigerate for some time. Heat 1 tbsp. oil &
                    shallow fry the tikkis on both sides till light golden in colour.

                                  Drain on a kitchen towel.

                       Serve with tomato sauce / green chutney for an evening tea-time snack. 

Bajra (Pearl Millet) Dates Burfi

           Want to surprise your family and friends with a really unique dessert? Then try this guilt free burfi made of Bajra (Pearl Millet) and dates. I have not added any sugar or artificial colour and I guess this type of burfi is generally not made or heard of. 

          So give it a try and surprise your loved ones with this healthy and exotic dessert. They are extremely easy and quick to prepare. Serve them as an offering to God or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to be enjoyed later.

• 1/2 cup bajra grains, dry roasted & ground to a fine powder
• 12-15 seedless dates, soaked in warm water for an hour
• 3 tbsp. ghee
• 2 tbsp. milk powder
• 2 tbsp. almond powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 1 tbsp. mixed nuts
• 1 tsp. dry rose petals
• 1/2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds

          Blend the dates into a fine paste and keep aside. Heat 2 tbsp. ghee in a pan and sauté the bajra powder for 1-2 minutes. 

          Add the dates puree, milk powder and almond powder. Mix well and add the milk followed by the cardamom powder.

           Combine everything well and continue to sauté on a low flame till everything comes together and leaves the sides of the pan. Add the remaining ghee and mix well.

           Switch off the flame and add the rose water. Transfer to a greased plate and garnish with the chopped nuts, rose petals and sesame seeds.

           Set aside to cool down before refrigerating for an hour. Cut as desired and relish this unique, healthy and exotic dessert.

          

         

Stuffed Bajra (Pearl Millet) Sandwich

          If you are thinking of introducing some healthy snack in your family, then try this simple and easy sandwich. I stuffed it with some boiled bajra and cheese along with some seasonings for a quick sumptuous snack. They can also be served as an after-school snack or as a lunch box meal. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it. 

• 4 brown bread slices
• 1/2 cup boiled & drained bajra (pearl millet)
• 2 cheese cubes
• pinch of salt
• pinch of pepper
• 1 fresh red / green chili, chopped (opt)
• 1-2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• butter as required

           To make these yummy sandwiches, spread some butter over the bread slices. Place one slice on a greased sandwich maker and spread 1/2 of the bajra, cheese, chili's, coriander leaves and a pinch of salt and pepper powder.

          Place another slice over it and close it firmly. Now place the sandwich maker over an open flame and roast on both sides till done. 

           Gently remove it and serve with green chutney or sauce for a healthy and nutritious breakfast / evening snack. They may also be packed for a lunch box meal. 

                   Spread some butter over the bread slices. Place one slice on a greased 
                   sandwich maker & spread 1/2 of bajra, cheese, chilies, coriander leaves,
                   pinch of salt & pepper powder. Place another slice over it & close it.

                    Place sandwich maker on an open flame & roast on both sides till done. 

                    Gently remove it & serve with green chutney / sauce for a healthy and
                    nutritious breakfast / evening snack. 

                               They may also be packed for a lunch box meal. 

Bajra Roti (Pearl Millet Flat Bread)

       
          Here are some simple and delicious Bajra roti (Pearl Millet Flat Breads). They are particularly healthy for those with gluten intolerance. To make them more appetizing, I added onion, ginger, green chilies, coriander leaves and other dry spices. Relish them hot with any side dish, chutney, yoghurt, pickles or butter. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it. 

• 1 cup Bajra flour (to make 2 rotis)
• salt to taste
• 1 onion, chopped finely
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• 1/2 tsp. ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1/2 tsp. red chili powder
• oil to shallow fry

          In a bowl, mix all the ingredients, except oil. Knead into a dough by adding hot water. Cover and keep aside for 15-20 minutes.

          Divide into 2 equal portions. Take each portion and with the help of your fore fingers spread into a circle. Keep wetting your fingers while working on the dough.

          Make few holes on it and fry on a medium flame till one side is done. Drizzle some oil in the holes and around the edges.

          Flip it over after one side is done and cook the other side too. Transfer to a serving plate. To do the next roti, keep the backside of the tawa under running water for a few seconds to cool down.

          Grease the tawa again and make the next roti in the similar way. Serve them hot with pickles, chutney, butter, yoghurt or any side dish.

                                 Mix all the ingredients, except oil.

                            Knead into a dough with some hot water. Keep aside for a while.

                     Form a circle directly on a greased tawa with your fore fingers & cook 
                     on a medium flame till one side is done.

                                  Cook the other side too.

                  Place the hot tawa under a running water for a few seconds to cool down.

                            Serve hot with any side dish, yoghurt, pickles, chutney or butter.

Masaledar Bajra Roti (Spicy Pearl Millet Flat Breads)

          Here are some simple and yummy Bajra Roti or flat breads made out of millet flour. They are a healthy option in general and in particular for those with gluten intolerance. To make them more appetizing and appealing, I added onion, ginger, green chilies, spring onion, coriander and mint leaves and other dry spices. Some flax seeds too went into it and they can be relished with pickles, yoghurt, chutney, butter or any side dish. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 2 cups Bajra flour (To make 4-5 rotis)
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. red chili powder
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tsp. flax seeds
• 2-3 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• 2-3 tbsp. mint leaves, chopped
• 2-3 tbsp. spring onion (green part), chopped
• 1 tbsp. oil to knead
• oil to shallow fry

          In a bowl combine all the ingredients, except oil to shallow fry. Add lukewarm water and mix it with a spoon first. Then with your hands knead into a dough. Cover and keep aside for 30 minutes.

          Divide into 4 equal portions. Take each portion and spread it on a greased non-stick tawa / griddle into a circle with the help of your fingers.

          Keep a bowl of water alongside for wetting your fingers while working on the dough. Spread it as thinly as possible. 

          Make few holes on it and fry on a low flame by drizzling some oil in the holes and around the edges. When one side is done, carefully flip it over and cook the other side too. 

          You need to keep two tawas / griddles to make similar rotis with the remaining dough. Another alternative is to place the back side of the tawa under running water for a few seconds to cool it down.

          Grease the tawa again and continue making similar rotis. Serve them hot with pickle, yoghurt, butter or any side dish.

                                In a bowl, take all mentioned ingredients, except oil.

                                Mix everything well.

                     Knead a dough with required amount of hot water. Cover & keep aside 
                     for 30 minutes.

                                Divide into 4 equal portions.

                    Roll out each portion directly on a greased tawa with the help of your fingers.

                               Fry on both sides on a low flame till done.

                    Place the back side of the hot tawa under a running water to cool down
                    in order to prepare the next roti.

                         Serve them hot with either pickles, yoghurt, butter or any side dish.