Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival that marks the beginning of the sun's northward journey, also known as the sun's return to the Northern Hemisphere. It is typically celebrated in January in India and Nepal. One way that people often celebrate Makar Sankranti is by preparing special foods, such as sweets made from jaggery and sesame seeds, and dishes made with millets.
There are many different millets, including Kodo millet, finger millet, and Foxtail millet, which are all popular in India and Nepal. They can be used in various dishes, such as porridge, bread, and cakes. Millets are a type of cereal grain high in nutrients and are often considered a healthier alternative to rice or wheat. They are also drought-resistant, which makes them an important crop in dry regions.
If you would like to incorporate millets into your celebration of Makar Sankranti, there are many delicious recipes that you can try. Some traditional dishes that are made with millets include bajra roti, ragi dosa, and kangani ladoo (a sweet made with foxtail millet and ghee). You can also find many other creative and tasty ways to use millets in your cooking. Enjoy your celebration!
Grains can be cooked and eaten as a porridge, used to make flatbreads or rotis, or even used to make sweets. Some traditional dishes that are made with millets for Makar Sankranti include bajra roti, ragi dosa, and kangani ladoo (a sweet made with foxtail millet and ghee). These dishes can be enjoyed as part of the celebrations and as a way to incorporate the nutritious grains into the diet.
Here is a recipe for Foxtail Millet Laddo that you can try for Makar Sankranti or any other occasion:
Ingredients:
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1 cup foxtail millet flour
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1 cup ghee
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1 cup sugar
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1/2 cup water
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1 tsp cardamom powder
Instructions:
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Heat a pan over medium heat and add the foxtail millet flour. Roast the flour, stirring constantly, until it turns a golden brown colour. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
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In a separate pan, melt the ghee over medium heat. Once the ghee is melted, add the roasted millet flour and stir to combine.
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In a small saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil over medium heat. Cook until the sugar has completely dissolved and the syrup has thickened slightly.
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Add the syrup to the pan with the millet flour and ghee, and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture comes together in a soft dough.
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Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes. Once it is cool enough to handle, take small portions of the dough and roll them into balls.
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Dust the laddos with cardamom powder and serve. These laddos can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Enjoy!
Here are a few millet dishes that you can prepare for Makar Sankranti or any other occasion:
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Bajra roti: A flatbread made with pearl millet flour and water. It is a traditional dish in many parts of India and is often served with ghee or yogurt.
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Ragi dosa: A thin, crepe-like dish made with finger millet flour and water. It is a popular breakfast food in South India and can be served with chutney or sambar.
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Kangani khichdi: A hearty and nutritious dish made with foxtail millet, lentils, and vegetables. It can be served as a main course or as a side dish.
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Bajra khichdi: A one-pot meal made with pearl millet, lentils, and vegetables. It is a popular dish in many parts of India and is often served with yogurt or pickles.
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Ragi mudde: A traditional dish from South India that is made with finger millet flour and water. The mixture is formed into balls and served with a spicy vegetable or lentil sauce.
These are just a few examples of the many delicious millet dishes that you can prepare for Makar Sankranti or any other occasion. I hope you enjoy trying them out!
