Jowar, also known as sorghum, is an ancient, nutrient-rich grain that has been a staple in various parts of the world. As people become more health-conscious and seek different and alternate grain options, jowar has witnessed a resurgence. The reasons for this are quite obvious: it’s gluten free, high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants. It contains important vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, magnesium, iron and zinc. Jowar is usually recommended to those who have gluten allergies, celiac disease, want to maintain or improve heart health, or want to get on a healthy weight loss journey. You can have jowar rotis along with vegetables and dal, make chillas, or even make dosas. Jowar can also be used in desserts. Here are some quick dessert recipes to get you started:
Jowar Chocolate Cake
Ingredients:
- 240 g jowar flour
- 4 tbsp Cadbury Cocoa Powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 120 g curd
- 120 ml milk
- 240 g powdered sugar
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Sieve the jowar flour along with cocoa powder and baking powder into a large bowl, and set this aside.
- Preheat the oven to 180 C and line the bottom and sides of a 7-inch cake tin with baking paper.
- Whisk the curd, milk, powder sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract together until smooth and well-mixed.
- Incorporate the sieved flour into the wet ingredients and mix well.
- Pour the batter into the cake tin and bake in the oven for about 50 to 55 minutes.
- Once done, let the cake cool down completely.
- Then pull out the cake from the tin, slice and enjoy. You can also dust it with some icing sugar if you want.
Lemon Jowar Cookies
Ingredients:
- 90 g jowar flour
- 90 g regular flour (sub with almond flour to make it gluten free)
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 140 g granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp neutral oil
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 3 tbsp milk
Instructions:
- Prepare a baking tray by lining it with parchment paper. Then preheat the oven at 176 C.
- Sift the jowar flour, regular/almond flour, salt and baking powder in a large bowl.
- Then mix neutral oil with sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and milk. Beat this mixture together until the sugar dissolves completely. To quicken the process, you can powder the sugar in advance too.
- Fold the flour into the wet mix slowly and steadily.
- Mix until you get a crumbly cookie dough.
- Now oil your palms and start shaping the cookie dough balls.
- Place them a few centimeters apart on the baking sheet. Then press down on them with a fork. The decision to use up all the cookie dough depends on you. You can make 12 cookies in one batch and save the rest of the dough for later. Wrap it tightly in cling film and refrigerate.
- Once the cookies are prepared, you can refrigerate them for 15 minutes, then pop the tray in the oven for 15-17 minutes. They will take on a golden brown color.
- Let them cool on a wire rack before digging in.
Jowar Phirni
Ingredients:
- 120 g jowar flour
- 1.25 ltr milk
- 120 ml chocolate syrup
- 1 tsp ghee
- 5 crushed cardamom pods
- Sliced almonds for garnish
Instructions:
- Heat the ghee in a pan, then toast the jowar flour until it gets a little fragrant and becomes dry.
- In a saucepan, add the milk, followed by the roasted jowar flour. Make sure that the heat is on low.
- Whisk this mixture, and allow it to thicken. Then add the chocolate syrup and crushed cardamom.
- You will get a thick pudding, then remove it from heat and let it cool.
- Transfer into a serving dish and garnish with sliced almonds. You can serve the phirni warm or cold.