Ragi Muddha with Mutton Gravy

This dish is contributed from my neighbor Swapna. She is a very good cook. I often hear from her about this ‘Ragi Muddha’  or ‘Ragi Sankati’, which I am not familiar with at all. She offered me to taste as it is very good for adults and kids. I gave it to my kids with ghee on top and they loved it. Latter i ate it with tomato Dal and it is really really excellent. Thanks swpana for this deliciously healthy recipe and for sure i am going to include this in my weekly menu.  This is a popular Rayalaseema dish.

So i started my research and found so many interesting things. Here are the highlights-

‘Finger Millet’ aka ‘Ragi’ is a very healthy dish both for the physically hard working as well as those with diabetes. It is indeed very healthy for children. It is high in protein and calcium, but very low in carbohydrates. Therefore, unlike rice or wheat, it is best for those with sugar complaints. It is almost synonymous with the best of traditional foods, simple, tasty, nutritious and wholesome.

This Ragi can be given to an infant as old as 5+ months since it is very easily digested and gives a whole lot nutrients.

Here is her recipe-

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Rice (sona masoori)
• 4 Tsp Ragi flour
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 3 Cups Water

Directions-

1. Take a wide bottomed vessel (I use the pressure cooker w/o lid).
   Wash the rice and add water and salt. Let the rice cook in the cooker without lid on medium heat.
   Allow it to fully cook (takes around 15-20mins).
   When there is only little water left (approx. 3-4 tbsp) in the vessel, add ragi flour.
2. Do not heap the flour on the rice, spread it over the surface.
3. Let it boil for 2mins and then take a wooden spoon and mix the rice and  flour (mix from bottom to top). While doing this keep the heat in low and mix as quickly as possible so that the rice and flour are well mixed.

Ragi Muddha tastes good with any pullakoora (pulusu) or Non Vegetarian Gravy curry or tomato Dal.

Ragi Muddha with Tomato Pappu

Here is her Mutton Pulusu  recipe–

• 1 pound of Mutton (mix of bones and meat)
• 2 tbsp  Oil
• 1 small Onion small chopped
• 1 medium Tomato chopped
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric
• 4 cups Water

For masala –
Grind the below items:

• 1 1/2 big Onion big
• 1 Small Tomato
• 1 Cup Shredded Coconut (fresh/frozen)
• 5 Green chilies
• 1 tsp Ginger-Garlic paste (try using fresh)
• 1 tbsp Coriander leaves chopped
• Salt to taste

Directions-

1. Wash Mutton pcs with salt, turmeric and water.
2. Grind the above listed masala items to paste using little water.
3. Heat oil in a pressure cooker.  Add chopped onion and let it fry for until it is transparent.
4. Add chopped tomato and fry until tomato becomes soft and mushy.
5. Add  mutton pieces,turmeric and fry for a min.  Add the above grinded masala paste and mix well for 3mins.
6. Add water and pressure cook upto 7whistles. After the pressure cools, take off the lid and adjust the taste if needed.
7. Garnish with coriander leaves.

Goes well with tiffins like dosa, idli, Roti or Biriyani or ragi muddha.

Ragi Muddha with Mutton Pulusu

This is a very healthy dish and tastes awesome. It can be a lunch box dish too.

Cracked wheat is so high in fiber. It is better to use this instead of regular sooji/semolina.

Everyone must be thinking biryani with cracked wheat…and believe me this is so healthy, heart filling and very easy to make. It is a one pot meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups coarse wheat ravva
• 1/2 cup of diced carrots
• ½ cup diced beans
• 1/2 tbsp ghee
• 1 medium onion Diced
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp grated ginger-garlic paste
• 2-3 green chilies, slit length wise
• 2 small cinnamon sticks
• 3 cloves
• 1 bay leaf/ biryani aaku
• 10 cashew nuts
• salt to taste

Directions

1. Heat oil in heavy bottom pan. Add cinnamon, cloves, cumin, bay leaf and cashew nuts let the cashews slightly brown.
2. Add green chilies, onions and let the onions get translucent.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste and let it leave the raw flavor. Add carrots and beans add little salt, mix well and let them sauté for 3 min.,
4. Add cracked wheat and stir fry with the rest of the ingredients for a minute.
5. Add 6 cups of water and salt to the above mixture, bring it to a slight boil and adjust the taste accordingly.
6. Adjust the flame to medium low and let it cook till the cracked wheat is well cooked.
7. Serve it with raita.

Note-

1. When using pressure cooker in Step 1 follow the steps as above.
2. In step 5 add 4 cups water and  cover the pressure cooker lid and let it whistle 2 times. Turn off the flame and let the cooker release all the pressure.
3. Serve it with raita.

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