Welcome to our kitchen! Today, we’re going to prepare a delightful and nutritious dish – Golden Millet Pilaf. This pilaf is made with millets, infused with aromatic spices, and studded with vegetables, making it a wholesome and flavorful meal. Let’s get started!

Ingredients

• 1 cup mixed Millets (such as a combination of foxtail millet, barnyard millet, and little millet)
• 2 cups Water or Vegetable Broth
• 1 tbsp Ghee or Oil
• 1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
• 1 small Onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 inch Ginger, grated
• 1/2 cup Mixed Vegetables (carrots, peas, bell peppers, etc.), finely chopped
• 1/4 cup Cashews or Almonds, chopped
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp Cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp Coriander powder
• Salt to taste
• Fresh Coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Cooking Millets

1. Rinse and soak: Rinse the millets thoroughly under running water. Soak them in water for 15-20 minutes and then drain.
2. Cook millets: In a saucepan, heat ghee or oil over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Add chopped onions, garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté until onions turn translucent.
3. Add vegetables and nuts: Add chopped mixed vegetables and chopped cashews or almonds. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are slightly tender.
4. Add spices: Add turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix well to coat the vegetables.
5. Cook millets: Add soaked and drained millets to the pan. Stir well to combine with the vegetables and spices.
6. Add liquid: Pour in 2 cups of water or vegetable broth. Bring it to a boil.
7. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed and millets are cooked through.

Step 2: Fluff and Serve

1. Fluff: Once cooked, fluff the millet pilaf gently with a fork.
2. Garnish: Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
3. Serve: Serve the Golden Millet Pilaf hot as a main dish or as a side with yogurt or a salad.

Tips and Variations

• Vegetables: You can customize the vegetables according to your preference.
• Spices: Feel free to adjust the spices to suit your taste.
• Protein: Add cooked chickpeas or tofu cubes for extra protein.
• Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutritional Benefits

Golden Millet Pilaf is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals from millets and vegetables, making it a nutritious choice for a balanced meal.

Enjoy making and savoring this delicious Golden Millet Pilaf with your loved ones!