Ragi Cone Dosa With Kale Carrot Chutney

Ragi(Finger millet) is a nourishing grain ,which is incorporated in many South Indian dishes.Its incredibly low in fat and sugar,excellent source of Calcium. The Ragi porridge like oat meal, toppped with fruits and nuts is a great for a blooming start of day . The Ragi Dosa is little elaborate, I reserve it for weekend breakfast or brunch.
The nutrition in Ragi dosa is like no other ,serve with an even more nutritious Kale Carrot chutney on side,it is truly an ideal breakfast combo - don't you think?


Cone dosa reminds me of the restaurant style plating of dosa ,crisp and inviting.

Recipe : Ragi Cone Dosa
Makes a dozen large dosas
Ingredients
1 cup Ragi flour
1 1/2 cup Yellow Mung dal(lentil)
1 inch ginger root ,peeled and chopped
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoon Canola Oil

Method
Soak Mung Dal in water over night.Drain all the water.Transfer in a wet grinder ,add the ginger,salt and 1/2 cup of water and grind it smooth.Add another cup of water along with the Ragi flour,grind some more until the batter is smooth with consistency of pancake batter.
Heat the non stick pan on medium high. Pour one ladle of batter right in the middle. Spread by making circles. let cook for 2-3 minutes. Flip and let cook for another minute.Sprinkle some finely chopped onions and serve warm with chutney.For an exciting presentation , cut through the radius of the dosa, twirl in like a cone and plate it upside down on plate.


I keep playing with ingredients ,to add more variety ,appeal as well as nutrition to the everyday cooking.Kale and Carrot,who would have thought could make such a zesty chutney. The secret is to add more flavorful, just kale and carrot together aren't getting any attention from taste buds, add a hint of spice and tang , the vegetables gets a whole new make over.
Recipe : Kale Carrot Chutney
Makes 1 cup
Ingredients
2 cups of fresh kale ,thoroughly rinsed and chopped
1 large carrot,peeled and chopped
1 plum red tomato ,chopped
few curry leaves
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
Freshly squeezed juice of 1/2 a lemon
2-4 dried red chillies(or use any kind of hot chili peppers dry or fresh)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon of canola oil
1/4 cup cold water
Method
Heat a pan on medium heat,add the cumin seeds,curry leaves and red chillies,let saute for a minute,now add the tomatoes,carrots and kale.Cover and cook until tender,10-12 minutes.
Carefully transfer in a grinder\blender,cover and run the machine until coarsely ground.Then add the water,lemon juice and salt,and grind until smooth.Store in clean air tight container in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.Perfect on sandwiches,burgers , dosa or with Brown rice.

Ragi Dosa is my entry for Weekend herb Blogging ,hosted this week by Cinzia of Cindystar

A perfect baby food and diabetic friendly, Ragi(Finger millet) Porridge

Ragi(Finger millet) is predominately a crop grown in Africa and Asia.I was introduced to this wonder food few years back by a South Indian friend when discussing about perfect baby foods.The nutritious ragi ,fed to babies(6 months and up), happens to be a popular one among Indian moms.No wonder,Ragi is a good source of vital nutrients including calcium ,iron,B vitamins, Protein, Carbohydrate, Iodine and minerals.Also its sugar free nature,makes it ideal for diabetics and as such every health-conscious being.Ragi(flour or seeds) is found in any well stocked Indian stores.

I use fine ground flour for making this porridge.Although you could use the ragi seeds soaked overnight and grind to a paste with little water and use the paste instead of the flour.Add some flavor to enhance the taste.Young or old this can be a equally enjoyable breakfast porridge.

Recipe : Diabetic friendly Ragi Porridge
Ingredients
serves 2
2 cups reduced fat Organic milk
1 1/2 tablespoon(about 5 teaspoon) Ragi flour
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon brown or red rice flour(optional)
2 teaspoon Low GI sugar substitutes like Agave nectar
1 cup fresh or frozen fruits,chopped

Method
Mix the ragi flour,cocoa powder,cardamom and rice flour in a small bowl.
In a small saucepan,start heating the milk on medium-low,while the milk warms,stir in the ragi mixture.Keep stirring constantly to prevent lumps,use a whisk for best results.Turn the heat off when mixture is thickened with porridge like consistency.Mix in the sugar substitute and fruits.Serve warm.I also add some nuts to mine.

How do you like your Ragi?