Ragi To Kuttu: 5 Millet-Based Kheer To Enjoy This Winter

With the onset of the winter, India seems to fill the air with the essence of sweet delicacies. Apart from cakes, brownies and cupcakes, what Indians mostly indulge in are traditional sweet dishes like kheer, halwa, sheera and more. Of these, kheer is a creamy and aromatic rice pudding that is popular among most households in India, especially during auspicious occasions.

However, in recent times people have become health conscious and are opting for alternatives to rice in kheer. Millet-based kheer has gained popularity due to being highly nutritious and contributing to health benefits. Millets are a group of small-seeded grains and are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, providing sustained energy release. They are also high in dietary fiber, supporting digestive health and helping maintain steady blood sugar levels. Millets contain essential minerals like iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium, contributing to bone health and overall well-being. Additionally, they are a good source of protein, making them valuable for vegetarians and vegans. These grains also boast a range of vitamins, including B vitamins and antioxidants.

This winter, we’ll try experimenting with different types of millet-based kheer. Take a look at them:

Ragi Kheer

Ragi, also known as finger millet, can be used to make delicious kheer this winter. It is gluten-free and rich in protein and amino acids. To prepare the kheer, ragi can be roasted to simmered in milk, exuding a nutty flavour. Jaggery or sugar is added to sweeten it. It can be seasoned with cardamom to give a fragrant touch.

Kangni Kheer

This is a delightful twist to the traditional rice kheer which possesses the nutty goodness of the millet along with the rich creaminess of the kheer. To prepare this, millet is cooked till it becomes tender and then simmered in the mixture of milk and jaggery. The kheer is infused with cardamom and can be garnished with shredded almonds.

Jowar Kheer

Jowar kheer is a wholesome take on the traditional rice kheer with additional nutritional benefits of sorghum also known as jowar. Besides, it also provides essential nutrients like iron, magnesium, and dietary fibres. The grains are cooked until the grains achieve a tender consistency and then simmered in milk. They are sweetened by jaggery to make it more health-friendly.

Bajra Kheer

A healthy alternative to rice kheer is bajra kheer as this introduces the wholesome goodness of pearl millet. Cook the bajra until soft and prepare the kheer by simmering it in the milk. To make it healthy, add jaggery to sweeten it and flavour it with cardamom. Garnish the kheer with chopped nuts.

Kuttu Kheer

This puts a unique spin on the traditional rice kheer by incorporating buckwheat into it. Here, kuttu atta is roasted to enhance its nutty flavor and then simmered in a luscious mixture of milk. You can also add grated coconut to it. Instead of sugar, add health-friendly jaggery to it. Flavour it with cardamom.