25 May 2011

Ragi Koozh

"Ragi"- There is no need for me to give an introduction about this grain. Probably your guys know more information than me .....

Just a few words about this grain. Finger Millet or Ragi as it is commonly known in Tamil, is a cereal which grows well in arid regions. It is the holy food of "Goddess Kali" otherwise known as "Amman" in Tamil. In native Tamil Nadu, this porridge is distributed to the poor in Amman temples during auspicious days.


This was first cultivated in Ethiopia around 3000BC and introduced in India around 1000BC.

It needs very less water to grow and once harvested it keeps well for a long time and it is seldom attacked by insects - a true blessing for the rural community.

Even though it is poor man's food it is rich in nutrients. It is extremely rich in calcium, contains iron and other mineral in trace amounts.

 It contains the essential amino acid "Methionine", which is often low in the diets of the poor and the upper middle class who live on starchy staples such as cassava, plantain, polished rice and maize meal.


Methionine is the major supplier of "Sulfur" to our body necessary for the normal functioning of all our organs. In Europe methionine is used in treating depression, inflammation, liver diseases, and certain muscle pains. It has antioxidant properties and essential for healthy skin, nails and flexible joints.

Ragi is low in calorific content when compared to brown rice and wheat but rich in calcium, dietary fiber and iron are in abundance .... so this makes Ragi:

1.Ideal for infants [right from 2 months of age] and growing children.
2. Diabetic individuals and weight conscious people [dietary fiber and slow absorption of carbohydrate]
3.Elderly individuals [to prevent joint ailments and liver diseases]
4.Beauty conscious people [anti-oxidant properties, for healthy nails and skin and prevent premature ageing].
5.Pregnant and lactating mothers as it prevents "Iron Deficiency Anaemia"


AID - "Association for India's Development" which is a volunteer movement promoting sustainable, equitable and just development. AID supports grassroots organizations in India and initiates efforts in various interconnected spheres such as agriculture, energy,  education, health , livelihoods, natural resources including land and water, women's empowerment and social justice. Please do visit the site which gives an insight to "Ragi -The Wonder Grain" in changing people's lives and helps them sustain draught conditions...

For general info about Ragi please visit this link
For more info on nutritional value of ragi please visit here and here
For more info on methionine please visit: here  and here .

Ragi koozh is nothing but "plain simple porridge". It is very easy to prepare and makes a wholesome meal. My gran used to sprout ragi grains, dry it in the sun, powder the dried sprouts and store the flour in air tight containers. I made this porridge with store brought ragi flour which served the purpose.


For the basic porridge:

Ragi flour : 4-5 tbsp.
Water: 200ml.
Salt: 1 pinch.

In a pan mix the ragi flour with water and salt. Keep the pan on medium flame and stir continuously until the mix starts to bubble. Reduce the flame to low and keep stirring. The mix will thicken and turn dark brown in colour.  After 5 mins a wonderful aroma emanates. That is the indication that the porridge is done.

For the sour version:


Cooked ragi koozh/porridge : 1 cup
Sour buttermilk : 100 ml.
Mor millagaai : 2-3.
Salt: to taste
Fresh coconut scrapings: 1 tbsp [optional].


Mix the porridge with the sour buttermilk, coconut scrapings and salt. Fry the mor millagaai in a teaspoon of oil. Have a bite of the chilli, take a sip of the porridge and enjoy..

For the sweet version:


Cooked ragi koozh/porridge: 1 cup.
Milk: 100ml.
Karupatti /palm jaggery: 2-3 cubes [powdered]
Cardamom powder: 1 pinch.
Fresh coconut scrapings : 1 tbsp [optional]


Mix the porridge with the milk, powdered karupatti, cardamom powder and coconut scrapings. Enjoy every sip.

Note : Karupatti gives a completely different flavour to the porridge. It can be substituted with normal sugar and coconut milk for milk.

Do check out my other recipe - Sweet n Sour Wheat Ragi Kanji

Sending this to "WWC- Ragi for Breakfast", an event by Sanjeetha , guest hosted by Kalyani of "Its not Madrasi".


Enjoy...


Scribbled by Reva.

60 comments:

Binys Recipes said...

WONDERFUL reva....love it...nice clicks too....checkout my space for a surprise......

Mélange said...

A very informative and enthusiastic post Reva..Loved all the clicks.It was new to me regarding the use of ragi in Amman Temples..I love the distinct taste of ragi in all forms.
Nice Clicks !!

Rekha shoban said...

very healthy drink ...perfect for summer!!!nice click n pot looks cute!

schmetterlingwords said...

Beautiful explanation about the benefits of Ragi. Different versions of the Koozh too.. Very useful :-)

chef and her kitchen said...

Loved those clicks..very nice..very healthy drink 2 beat this summer heat..:)

Hamaree Rasoi said...

Thanks for the detailed info about Ragi. Very healthy porridge . My kind of breakfast. Very nice photos

Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi

Sangeetha Nambi said...

Thanks for sharing this traditional Recipe Reva. Btw nice pot :)

CinnamonNChillies said...

Love the recipe! Superb clicks!!!

Umm Mymoonah said...

This is just classic, nothing can beat this healthy and energetic porridge. Very informative post.

Prathima Rao said...

A fantastic recipe reva!!! So healthy..And very informative post :)
Prathima Rao
Prats Corner

Unknown said...

Apt presentation n yummy looking koozh...sure healthy too

Radhika said...

very earthy. Love the clicks and the write up.

Rinku Naveen said...

Healthy recipe and loved the clicks!!

Prema said...

Healthy breakfast,wonderful recipe...perfect for this climate.
Awesome clicks as always.

Raji said...

Ragi's health benefits are numerous..just love it. The koozh looks wonderful...beautiful presentation in mud pots.

Anjali Bapna Shukla said...

Truly adorable!! :)

Rani acharyulu said...

Healthy and delicious porridge,beautiful clicks.

Sensible Vegetarian said...

Delicious and healthy breakfast, a staple in my home. Simply love your clicks.

Prathima Shivraj said...

Very authentic recipe, healthy too.
Wonderful clicks

Sangeetha M said...

very authentic n healthy koozh...thanx for the detailed info about ragi n its component...tats a great job.love your presentation n pictures...amazing clicks...

Julie said...

lovely clicks,Reva !! healthy porridge too..Thanx for sharing the info on ragi!

Reshmi Mahesh said...

Great work...A healthy post with lots of info...Beautiful clicks too

Sook said...

Wow, I love that little pot you used for porridge! So beautiful! I would love to try it.

Menaga Sathia said...

wonderful healthy drink..love the presentation...

Raksha said...

wonderful clicks

Vimitha Durai said...

Healthy and perfect cooler... Will make a great breakfast...

Priya Suresh said...

Super healthy and nutritious porridge,lovely presentation..Super cooler dish..

Suman Singh said...

To be honest, I have never tried this grain yet but after reading your post I think I am surely going to get some ragi from indian store on the weekend...the dish looks so healthy and yummy..thanks!

Suja Manoj said...

Wonderful post..classic and healthy breakfast..lovely clicks.

kankana said...

not a big fan of ragi! but those chillies you displayed there .. aren't those the spicy crunchy chilly.. i think i used to eat those in Andra meal. I am missing those chillies now !!

Miriam Korula said...

the presentation of such a simple dish is beautiful...love the clicks...i didn't know too much abt Ragi n' loved the detailed intro...:)

Sravs said...

wonderful clicks dear !! very healthy and super ragi drink !!

divya said...

Mouthwatering here, super delicious dish,yumm!

Kaveri Venkatesh said...

Beautiful clicks and lot of good info about the grain...

Pushpa said...

I always preferred this to kali like your version.Stunning clicks.

Taste Melanger said...

Great info on ragi, would check out more about it..and as usual very colorful & happy shots!! Btw did u check ur mail?

Panchpakwan said...

Healhty and yummy ragi dish..Loved those cute serving pots..

Kalyani said...

wonderful clicks ..... u have a wonderful blog and i am a regular follower to ur blog ........

My Kitchen Antics said...

oooh those kutti pots are lovely

Vardhini said...

Love ragi .. Pots look cute Reva :)

Vardhini
VardhinisKitchen

Deepti said...

I totally forgot about Ragi once my son has outgrown the infancy label..
U make me tempt for buy them again...Awesome Clicks....

http://www.panchamrutham.blogspot.com/

Mehjabeen Arif said...

Wonderful presentation.. just divine..

A very informative post..

Sandhya Hariharan said...

Thank u for dropping by my space dearie...
I m totally bowled over by your lovely clicks.. You have put up ur space sooo nicely !!

Cheers
Sandhya's Kitchen

Madhu said...

Lovely picture! I absolutely love the way you have presented the porridge in earthen pots. Simply amazing.

aipi said...

That looks like a very classic n authentic dish! The pots are making the presentation so ethnic n rustic ~ truly gorgeous!
Loved reading the post too , never really cooked with ragi but you have given me the much needed push and now I can't wait to try it :)
US Masala

Sushma Mallya said...

Lovely pic...loved the recipe v healthy and nutricious!

Aruna Manikandan said...

wow....
healthy porridge dear..
loved reading ur post - very informative :)

Joanne said...

I really love millet and this looks delicious!

Priya Sreeram said...

reva ur clicks are such a killer- ragi koozh in the cute little mankudam is soooooooooooo nice !

Unknown said...

Hey Reva,

Lovely clicks...Koozh in paani!!:)

Dr.Sameena@

http://www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com/

Ganga Sreekanth said...

great clicks.........love the recipe

hemalata said...

Excellent clicks, lovely and healthy recipe.

Krishnaveni said...

super healthy recipe, great

sangeeta said...

First time her and loved you blog Reva!!!

I never knew this is called koozh , i thought it is called kanji . I like this porridge in savory form and my daughter used to like the sweet form of it.

very informative post !!

Parita said...

Very well written! Love the earthy pictures!

Deeksha said...

Healthy and delicious porridge! Nice write up..

Joyti said...

I am not familiar with ragi, so thank you for telling me about it. And the dish looks very good.

Fajeeda said...

Thr r some awards waiting u in my blog pls come and collect it......

tasteofbeirut said...

Your post is making me want to try this ragi asap! I am going to check it out at the Indian market near my house.

Anonymous said...

Lovely post Reva. Very informative. Never tried raagi in the porridge form. My MIL makes roti's with raagi sometimes.

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