HEALTHY RAGI RECIPES - I (SWEET)

 

 RAGI is a Gluten-free whole grain, rich in FIBER that helps with weight loss and DIABETES. 

It is packed with Amino acids, Vitamin D, Calcium, good Carbs & Magnesium.

The magnesium content in Ragi controls HAIR falling and helps in hair growth.

It has Anti-aging properties, also recommended for Blood Pressure, Liver Disorder, Heart-related problems.

It helps in dealing with the condition of Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia.

NOTE:- Qualities and benefits of using RAGI in our diet is already mentioned in my previous post   RAGI - A SUPERFOOD 

Recipes,  easy to prepare:-

1  . RAGI  LADOO:-

        Ingredients: 

        Ragi flour - 1 cup
        Ghee         - 2 to 3 tbsp.
        Dry Coconut, white sesame seeds, peanuts - 1 cup
        Cardamoms   - 2 
        Salt - 1 pinch
        Jaggery - 1/2 cup

        Procedure:

1. Dry roast peanuts and after cooling remove skin and keep aside.
2. Dry roast dries coconut and keep aside.
3. Dry roast white sesame seeds and keep them aside.
4. Grate Jaggery.

Take 2 tbsp. of Ghee and fry RAGI flour in a low flame till it changes its color.

1. Powder separately peanuts, dry coconut,   sesame seeds by adding cardamoms and a pinch of salt.
2. Mix all the ingredients in a mixer jar. Grind together till they mix well with each other.
3. Take small portions and prepare laddus.
4. Keep in an air-tight container.    

NOTE:- Instead of Jaggery, one can use 1 cup of dates.

2.  RAGI HALWA / RAGI BURFI

Ingredients:-

Ragi flour - 1 Cup

Sugar         - 1/2 or 3/4th cup

Ghee          - 5tbs

Whole milk - 1 1/2 Cup

Cardamom powder (Elichi) - 1/2 tsp

Dry Fruits chopped - 1 Cup (as per your choice)

Pumpkin seeds, watermelon seed 2 - 2 tbsp.

Salt - 1pinch

Procedure:-

1. Heat Ghee in a pan, keep it on a medium flame and add Ragi flour and stir till Ragi is nicely roasted.
2. Add Sugar & stir continuously till sugar melts. Add Cardamom powder and 1 pinch of salt.
3. Add milk slowly so that you won't get any lumps and cook till the Ragi mixture won't leave the sides of the pan.
4. Add chopped dry fruits and seeds and serve hot.
5. For Burfi - set this mixture in a greased plate and set for some time and cut in the shape of burfi.

NOTE:- Instead of Sugar, one can use Jaggery, but be careful as milk curdles by adding jaggery if you are not able to maintain heat.

3.  RAGI  & OATS BANANA CAKE:- (Eggless)

Ingredients:-

Ragi flour- 1 1/2 CUP

Oats - 1 CUP

Baking Powder - 1tsp

Baking Soda - 1/2tsp

Salt - 1 pinch 

Oil - 1/2 Cup

Sugar / Jaggery 1 1/2 cup

Vanilla essence 1 tsp

Dry fruits chopped - 1/2 cup

Fresh curd - 1/2 cup

Banana (ripe) - 4 no. mashed

Procedure:-

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes.
2. Blend banana, sugar/jaggery, oil, curd, salt, vanilla essence properly.
3. Mix ragi, oats, baking powder, baking soda.
4. Now mix step 2 and step 3 together and add dry fruits.
5. Grease the baking pan with oil and pour the above mixture.
6. Bake for 45minutes.
7. Check by inserting a greased knife, it should come clean.

4. RAGI KHEER:-

Ingredients:-

Ragi flour -  2 tbsp.

Sugar/jaggery - 1/2 cup (adjust as per your taste)

Salt - 1 pinch

Whole milk - 2 cups

Chopped dry fruits (as per your choice)

Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp

Ghee - 2 tbsp.

Procedure:-

1. Heat ghee in a pan, reduce the flame and add ragi flour and keep stirring till ragi flour is roasted.
2. Add slowly milk(hot) so that ragi should not form lumps.
3. Stir continuously till you get a smooth and lump-free mixture.
4. Add sugar/jaggery and a pinch of salt and cardamom powder.
5. The prepared mixture should not be very thick. It should be of medium consistency.
6. Add chopped dry fruits and mix properly.
7. While serving, garnish with sliced almonds.
8. Serve hot.

NOTE:- As it cools, it will become thick. You can add hot milk.

5. RAGI PANIYARAM:-

Ingredients:-

Ragi flour - 250 gm

Jaggery - 200 gm ( as per taste)

Rice flour - 6 tbsp.

Banana (ripe) - 1 no.

Baking soda 1/2 tsp

Raw rice flour - 6 tbsp.

Salt - 1 pinch

Cardamom powder 1/4tsp

Oil for frying

Procedure:-

1. Melt jaggery in 1/4th glass of water. Let it cool to room temperature.
2. Take a mixer jar, add peeled banana, cardamom powder, salt, rice flour, ragi flour, and melted jaggery ad blend into a smooth paste.
3. Add 1/4th glass of water and baking soda. The paniyaram batter should be of flowing consistency.
4. Heat paniyaram pan, add oil, and heat it, then keep in low flame and pour the batter in each mold (don't fill completely).
5. Keep flame low so that it will cook evenly.
6. When it is puffed, flip it to the other side.
7. Cook both sides till it will turn golden brown.
8. Remove from the flame and serve.  
9. Tasty & healthy Paniyaram is ready to eat now.

NOTE:- You can eat it as a snack or in the breakfast as it is very healthy and filling. You can even store it in a refrigerator and can heat or microwave it before eating. You can also add fried coconut pieces to the batter.

6. RAGI COOKIES:-

Ingredients:-

Ragi flour - 100 gm

Wheat flour - 100gm

Oats - 50gm

Almonds(crushed) - 10 no.

Jaggery powder - 150 gms (adjust according to your taste)

Baking powder - 1tsp

Butter (unsalted) 150gm

salt - 1 pinch

Milk 3tbs (as required for kneading)

Procedure:-

1. Preheat oven for 15 minutes at 150 degrees Celsius.
2. Take a pan and dry roast ragi flour on a low flame for about 12 to 15 minutes till you get a nice aroma and the color also slightly changes.
3. Allow it to cool.
4. Take a bowl, add all the ingredients and mix with the melted butter.
5. Add milk a little bit by bit to bind the dough.
6. Cover the dough with a thin cloth and meanwhile grease the baking tray.
7. Make small equal size rounds and flatten them between the palms and place them on a baking tray.
8. Bake the cookies in a preheated oven for 15 minutes. (Check if not done keep for another 2 to 3 minutes).
9. Remove in another plate or wired rack and let it cool completely.
10. Healthy & tasty Ragi cookies are ready to eat now.
11. Store in an air-tight container.

NOTE:-

• Add milk as required as the dough should be hard.
• To make cookies crispy roll them into a thin round.
• Cookies have to be completely cooled before keeping in an air-tight container. 
• Always bake in a preheated oven.
• Instead of jaggery, sugar can also be used in the same quantity.