Kodo Millet Pongal

EVENT:FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP
THEME:#180 LOW CALORIE FOOD

At the beginning of every new year most people (women more so) make a resolution to lose weight, eat sensibly and all the promises that go into making that resolution. I too have consistently made that resolution, gone gungho into the whole new diet exercise regime and have not lasted till February. Many articles in magazines, on the internet all claim that if you give up certain foods or drinks, you’ll automatically lose weight or if your drink hot lemon water, have lots of chia seeds, add cinnamon or black pepper to your water etc etc. There are so many different kinds of  diet tips.

There are so many different types of diets out there… South Beach Diet, Vegan diet, Keto diet, Paleo diet,Atkin diet, Mediterranean diet, Raw food diet, Zone diet, Intermittent fasting diet, etc. Some of these diets work for some and it doesn’t work for others. However the most sensible tip is to eat in moderation and exercise (not that I follow that). If I did follow the mantra then I wouldn’t be overweight. Maintaining an ideal weight and overall good health is all about changing your lifestyle and making good choices.

As hubby and I age, we constantly endeavor to make small changes in our daily diet and choices we make. I may not attain the weight I was when I got married 36 years ago, but now our main aim is to be healthy and able to our personal chores by ourselves. I sometimes replace white rice with brown or black rice or millets. I try to avoid sugar as much as possible and use natural sweeteners like honey, dates, maple syrup. We don’t drink juices  from packets or bottles. Making good choices doesn’t stop. That doesn’t mean that we do not enjoy the occasional ice cream, dessert, caramel popcorns, pizza etc.

Are you wondering why I’m talking about diet and good choices today? FoodieMonday/Bloghop’s 180th theme is low calorie food a theme suggested by Sujata Roy who blogs at Batter Up With Sujata.  Check out her blog some diabetic friendly recipes.

All millets are healthy and a good substitute for rice. I’ll not go into all the benefits of including millets in your diet as there is enough information on the internet about it. I find that having millet is much lighter on the tummy, doesn’t make you feel so full and heavy and yet you feel satisfied. The kodo millet pongal I have made is approximately 315 calories per serving. The count would come down if you don’t add coconut and cashew nuts.

You will find that its easier to stick to a diet when it includes all the food groups. I like to make the food tasty and interesting. Bland food like plain steamed veggies is not my kind of diet. So go on try out this healthy version of pongal and enjoy it for dinner or lunch. You may serve it with sambhar and chutney but to keep the calorie count low I decided to serve it with plain yogurt.

KODO MILLET PONGAL

Serves 2

½ cup kodo millet (varagu, kodra,harka)

⅓ cup moong dal 

2-2½ cups water

¼ cup fresh grated coconut

1 tsp ginger paste

1 tsp green chili paste

a generous pinch turmeric powder (haldi)

1 tsp salt

For tempering:

1 tsp olive oil/ghee

8-10 curry leaves (limbdi)

8-10 cashew nuts

1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)

6-8 pepper corns

a generous pinch of asafetida (hing)

1. Wash lentil and kodo millet together in water. Wash and drain out the water about 3-4 times.
2. Add the measured water and let it soak for 15-20 minutes.
3. Add the mixture with the water into a pressure cooker.
4. Add turmeric powder, salt, coconut, ginger and chili pastes.
5. Close the lid of the pressure cooker, put it on medium heat.
6. Let the pongal cook for 2 whistles. Turn off the heat. When the pressure from the cooker becomes less open the lid.
7. Heat oil or ghee in a small pan over low heat.
8. When it becomes hot add peppercorns, cumin seeds, cashew nuts and curry leaves.
9. Stir the mixture for 30 seconds. Add asafetida. Mix well.
10. Pour the tempering to the pongal.
11. Mix well and serve.
12. To make it a healthy meal we enjoyed it with plain yogurt.

Tips:

• Add more or less water according to the consistency of the pongal you like.
• Adjust the ratio of millet to moong dal according to your preference.
• Add the flavors and spices to make it tasty.
• For vegan option don’t use ghee and serve with vegan yogurt or sambhar.

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A little request:

If you do try this recipe then please either

• add a comment below,
• send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
•  tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
• or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962

You may want to check out the following low calorie recipes:

healthy bhel

strawberry finger millet smoothie

Shorbat Adas

Black Rice Salad

moong dal and spinach handvo

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