Foxtail Millet Kesari (தினை கேசரி)

Foxtail millet (தினை), one of the widely-cultivated grains in India, is known to the mankind for a very long time that it is even mentioned in the ‘sangam literature’ (சங்க இலக்கியம்). This millet is rich in minerals especially iron and zinc, dietary fiber, and vitamins, mainly the B complex. Foxtail millet rice can be used to make keasri, an easy-to-make sweet preparation. You can serve kesai as a dessert or simply as a snack. Let’s see how to make this healthy sweet!

Ingredients:

Foxtail millet rice (தினை அரிசி) – ½ teacup or 100ml measure

Sugar – ½ teacup or 100ml measure

Ghee or clarified butter – 3 teaspoons

Cardamom – 2 no

Cashew nuts – broken, 1 tablespoon

Raisins – 1 tablespoon

Kesari powder or red food color – a pinch (optional)

Method: Remove the cardamom seeds, pound them into a fine powder and keep aside. Heat 1 teaspoon of ghee in a kadai. Add cashew nuts and raisins, and sauté till the nuts turn golden brown in color. Add pearl millet rice, and fry on medium flame till it turns light brown in color (See figure 1).  

Figure 1: Foxtail millet rice fried in ghee

Now, add 1¼ teacup (250 ml) of water and kesari powder. Mix well. Cover and cook on low flame till the foxtail millet rice is fully cooked and soft to touch. Add sugar, remaining ghee and cardamom powder. Mix well and simmer till the contents start separating from the sides. Switch off the stove and serve hot.

Foxtail Millet Kesari (தினை கேசரி)

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