How To Cook Millet:
Your Easy Guide

Here's a simple guide on how to cook millet, a wonderful and gluten free grain. Are you wondering what is millet or about millet nutrition? Though still relatively unknown to most in the west, it's a delicious and highly nutritious grain that's well worth discovering.

What Is Millet?

In spite of its excellent flavour and texture, millet is best known in many countries as bird food which is maybe why it hasn't been widely adopted in cooking circles. It's much more popular in the culinary traditions of Africa, India and China. The grain, when cooked, is light, fluffy and flavoursome, making it a delicious alternative to rice. Millet flakes make a good gluten free porridge. Millet flour is also available and is an excellent ingredient for gluten free baking.

Millet Nutrition

Millet is known to be very easily digested and is gluten free.  It is rich in protein and is also a good source of iron, potassium and magnesium.
Millet is also high in silicon, meaning that it is beneficial to the eyes, skin, hair and nails.

How To Cook Millet

Cooking millet is usually started by pan-roasting the grains. This is not essential but it improves the flavour and texture and shortens the cooking time so I think it's worth doing.

Ingredients:

For a side dish for four people, use the following quantities:

225g/1¼ cup/8oz of millet 
600mls/2½ cups/1 pint of water 
Pinch of salt

Method:

1. Toast the grains by placing them in a large dry pot and stir over a medium heat for 3 or 4 minutes. The grains will start to lightly brown and emit a pleasant roasted aroma. Don't toast for too long or you will find that the grains get a little tough and will actually take longer to cook. Three minutes should be enough.

2. Now add the water, bring to the boil, cover and turn the heat down low. Cook gently without stirring for 15 to 20 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed. Do try to resist stirring during the cooking as this will break up the grains, resulting in a mushy texture.

3. Remove from the heat and fluff up the millet with a fork. Serve as a substitute for rice or try some of these yummy millet recipes.

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