Ragi, also known as finger millets, is one of the most popularly grown cereals in the country, followed by wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, and bajra. Karnataka is the biggest producer of ragi, which is why it's a staple in the local diet. We add some chocolate dessert recipes to healthy sweet recipes in this article. This cereal has exceptional nutritional value because it contains protein, carbohydrates, iron, calcium, potassium, and dietary fibre along with low fat content. Notably, it's recommended for people with diabetes because it won't immediately spike blood sugar levels and is slowly digested by the body. Additionally, it's also a safe choice for those with gluten allergies or intolerance and Celiac disease.
Ragi Manni
Ingredients:
For ragi milk:
For the dessert:
- 480 gm ragi milk
- 480 ml water
- 360 gm jaggery
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ghee
- ½ tsp cardamom powder
Instructions:
- Rinse and soak the ragi in water overnight to make it plump.
- Blend ragi with 240 ml of water, then strain to extract milk. Repeat the process with remaining water. Squeeze the ragi grits to extract as much milk as you can.
- Combine jaggery, coconut milk, ragi milk, ghee and salt in a non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Stir continuously for about 20 minutes to get a thick and glossy mixture. This should take about 20 minutes.
- Once the mixture is as thick as a custard, turn the flame to low and stir for another 10 to 15 minutes.
- The custard should be done if it holds its shape when you drop a ladleful of it into the pan.
- Grease a pan or tray with some room temperature ghee.
- Pour the ragi mixture into this tray and let it solidify and cool for about 2 to 3 hours.
- Once it looks solid, cut it into diamond shapes.
Ragi Halwa
Ingredients:
- 120 gm ragi flour
- 2-3 tbsp ghee
- 240 ml hot milk
- 50 gm sugar
- ¼ tsp cardamom powder
- 2-3 tbsp sliced almonds
- 2-3 tbsp sliced pistachios
Instructions:
- Heat ghee in a pan. Once hot, add the ragi flour.
- Stir the flour around for about 5 minutes and it should start to bubble, which is when you should add sugar and mix well.
- Bring the milk to a boil in a saucepan and then slowly pour it into the ragi mixture.
- Keep stirring and ensure that there are no lumps. Once you get a thick, halwa-like consistency that starts leaving the edges of the pan, flavour with cardamom powder.
- Transfer into a serving dish or individual bowls and garnish with sliced almonds and pistachios.
Ragi Chocolate Pudding:
Ingredients:
- 120 gm ragi flour
- 240 ml hot milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup sugar
- 3 tbsp Cadbury Cocoa Powder
- A pinch of salt
- 40 gm chopped Cadbury Bournville Rich Cocoa 70% Dark Chocolate
Instructions:
- Toast the ragi flour for about 3-4 minutes, then gradually pour in the hot milk while stirring continuously.
- Add the sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
- Mix well until everything is well combined.
- Continue cooking the mixture on low heat until you get a thick pudding-like consistency.
- Once the pudding is thickened, remove it from heat and transfer into individual serving bowls.
- Garnish with chopped Cadbury Bournville Rich Cocoa 70% Dark Chocolate. You can also use sliced almonds, pistachios, or any other nuts you desire.