Also Known as
Nachani, red millet, nachni

Description
Ragi or Millet is a grain that is considered extremely nutritious. This grain is ground into flour and is very popularly. Raw Ragi, which are green in color, tiny beads and almost looks like mustard seeds are usually roasted, smeared with some salt and spicy cilantro chutney and consumed as a snack. Cheap, easy to make, delicious and extremely nutritious - all in one package.

How to Select
Ragi is generally available in its hulled and whole-grain form. It is available prepackaged as well as in bulk containers. Just as with any other food that you may purchase in the bulk section, make sure that the bins containing the millet are covered and that the store has a good product turnover so as to ensure its maximal freshness. Whether purchasing millet in bulk or in a packaged container, make sure that there is no evidence of moisture.

Culinary Uses
· Our favorite with Ragi or Millet flour at home is Ragi Roti. This roti can be served with coconut chutney, any sambhar or spicy gravy dish or just eaten plain with a dollop of butter or ghee.
· Ragi idly, Ragi dosa, Ragi Upma... all these taste yum.
· Ragi Porridge for toddlers can be prepared by soaking required amount in water and grind it in mixie. Filter the Ragi milk and make a liquid paste of it by adding ghee and little sugar. In the same method, it can be added with milk instead of ghee.
· Roasted ragi, mixed with sugar powder, elaichi and ghee can be used for making Ragi Ladoo.
· Ragi gives a dark brown colour when cooked. So children may not like the colour. But you can also mix a table spoon of ragi powder with roti's, dosas mixed with mint leaves, onion, tomato etc.
· Make payasam with Elaichi, Cashewnuts or raisin instead of kanji.
· Ragi Adai is one relished item
· You can also just make it into a thick paste by adding water and sugar and allowing it to boil for sometime. Add the choice of your fruit along with it as it taste good with banana or pear mixed with it. Also, variation can be done with dried fruits.
· Ragi Pudding: The Dessert of the Indian Farmers. Cooked millet can be served as a breakfast porridge to which you can add your favorite nuts and fruits.
· Ground millet can be added to bread and muffin recipes.
· Ragi halwa is truly a delicacy.

How to Store
Store millet in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark place, where it will keep for several months.

Health Benefits
· Ragi is considered Food for medicine and Medicine for Food. Ragi is wonderful cereal packed with nutrients.
· Ragi contains about 6.7 % protein. Ragi protein is reported to be a good quality.
· Ragi is rich in methonine, which is an amino acid lacking in most of the other cereals.
· Ragi is also found to have liberal amount of calcium.
· Ragi has been traditionally used in infant feeding. It's easy to prepare and you could also add some pre-soaked & powdered cashews/ almonds if your daughter is able to digest it.
· Since millet does not contain gluten, it is a wonderful grain alternative for people who are gluten-sensitive.
· An excellent source of calcium and fiber.
· It helps in lowering cholesterol levels in the blood; this leads to less plaque formation, prevents the blocking of blood vessels, and hence reduces the risk of hypertension and stroke
· It helps in enhancing weight control, and in a better glycemic control (useful for diabetics).
· High fibre diets also help in reducing the risk of certain forms of cancer, improving gastro-intestinal function and so on.
· Ragi has a number of health benefits like cooling your tummy, treating diabetes, cardiac diseases and for keeping your head cool in scorching summers.