Today, if you enter a supermarket, the shelves are lined with snacks ranging from chips and instant noodles to the healthier alternatives like flavoured makhanas and whole-grain based munchies. Since the health benefits of Jowar, Bajra and Nachni are hard to ignore, these snacks are slowly making their way into our homes in their fancy packages.
For many people who grew up in the 90s and crave for the nostalgia of those good ol’ days, the smell of roasted millets like Bajra will forever be imprinted in their memory. Why?
Because it’s impossible to forget our grandmothers scooping a fistful of roasted Bajra and walking around the house munching on it — sometimes sharing a bit with her grandkids. This was the healthiest snack one could think of, without realising how nutritious it was.
Today, millets are hailed as gluten-free superfoods and included in fancy dishes and elaborate diets. However, for us old-school desi folks, it was an integral part of growing up.
Traditional grains, Jowar (sorghum), Bajra (pearl millet), and Nachni (ragi/finger millet) have been a staple in our kitchens for generations. But did you know these grains offer much more than healthy food like just rotis and porridges?
With the advent of plain roasted flakes, they’ve taken on a whole new avatar, ready to add a touch of nostalgia and health to our modern diets. All this without spending too much time or effort on your meals!
Since the health benefits of Bajra, Jowar, Nachni and other millets are plenty, here’s how you can make the most of them in your daily diet.
1. Add a healthy twist to your bhel
Swap murmura (puffed rice) with roasted Bajra, Jowar or Nachni flakes in your bhel. Add a little tamarind chutney, chopped onions, tomatoes, and a sprinkle of sev, as per your tastes and you have a healthy, crunchy snack that’s perfect for your chai-time cravings.
2. For those with a sweet tooth
If you’re someone who craves a sugar rush during the day, you can reap the health benefits of Bajra, Jowar and Nachni by using them to make delicious and healthy laddoos. Soften the flakes in sugar syrup, honey, or jaggery and roll them into nutritious laddoos.
3. Add crunch to your smoothies
Don’t have time for an elaborate breakfast but want some healthy food packed with enough nutrients to get you through the first few hours of the day? There’s no better way to do that than a smoothie. Use these roasted millets as smoothie toppers to add a crunchy texture and nutty flavour to your breakfasts.
Roasted Bajra, Jowar and Nachni flakes pair really well with fruits and yogurt, making it a memorable and healthy start to your day. Since they work really well as diet food, you can always rely on these millets to stay on top of your health goals.
4. Add it to your chivda mix
Another example of healthy food that you can conjure out of roasted Bajra, Jowar and Nachni is a chivda mix. Combine these roasted millets with peanuts, curry leaves along with some salt and spices (as per your taste). This chivda is the perfect way to absorb the health benefits of Bajra, Jowar and Nachni.
5. Make healthy chikkis
Chikkis are seen as a rather indulgent winter snack to keep your body warm and enjoy a little sweet treat without feeling too heavy. Combine roasted Bajra, Jowar and Nachni flakes with melted jaggery and let the mixture settle into crunchy bars. You can carry this diet food along as a quick snack on the go that can give you a boost of energy.
At Ruchkar, we bring you plain roasted Jowar, Bajra, and Nachni flakes, prepared with care to retain their natural goodness. You can reap the health benefits of Jowar, Bajra and Nachni with our roasted millets, which are free from added salt and masala, making them perfect for those with diabetes or hypertension. It’s a great alternative for boring and bland diet food to add to your meals.
As you can see, these roasted flakes are extremely versatile and can be used to make everything from smoothies to chivda, ensuring you always have healthy food on standby when cravings hit you at odd hours.