Tired of eating the same kind of breakfasts like poha, cereal, or toast every single day? You want something healthy and delicious that's also instant? If so, then it is time to make Foxtail Millet upma for a tastier and more nutritious breakfast.
Foxtail millet is known all over India, as it is an ancient cultivated millet. And if it is mixed with traditional Indian upma spices, it becomes a wholesome, satisfying meal, which you can eat daily. Let’s discuss more about this nutritional foxtail millet breakfast recipe.
Why Choose Foxtail Millet for Upma?
Millet Upma Mix
Before knowing why to choose foxtail millet for upma, let’s see what foxtail millet is. Foxtail millet is an ancient grain. It is a precious crop in Asian cuisine culture, as a crop for thousands of years. In its natural state, a supergrain, foxtail millet, has been used as a source of food by human beings as well as animals. Similar to other millets such as pearl millet and proso millet, this also has vitamins and minerals and possesses a special, nutty taste. Let’s see why foxtail millet upma.
Are you rushing around the clock, preparing tiffins, or do you want an easy-to-prepare breakfast? Whichever your morning, sometimes you’ll skip breakfast. What if breakfast were all wholesome, satiating, and ready in seconds? That kind of breakfast is foxtail millet upma.
● Quick to Prepare: Healthy foxtail millet upma takes just 30 minutes to prepare. It is perfect for busy weekdays or relaxed weekend mornings.
● A Nutritional Powerhouse: Foxtail millet fills your stomach and gives enough nutrition to your entire body.
● Various Varieties: Add some peppers, peas, grated coconut, or roasted cashews.
● Sugar Control: Since it is naturally low on the glycemic index, foxtail millet takes time to digest.
● Gut-Friendly: It is gluten-free by nature. So it is a great choice for people who are sensitive to gluten or anyone who wants to eat healthy.
In short, it is everything your morning needs, such as convenience, taste, and goodness, in one healthy bowl. Sounds like a breakfast worth waking up for, doesn’t it?
Ingredients Needed for Foxtail Millet Upma
Main Ingredients:
● 1 cup foxtail millet rava
● 3 tablespoons oil
● 2 cups water
● 1 medium onion, finely chopped
● 1 small carrot, diced
● ½ cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
● 1 green chilli, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
● 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
● 1 tablespoon ghee
For tempering:
● 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
● 1 tablespoon urad dal (split black gram)
● 1 tablespoon chana dal (Bengal gram)
● 8-10 curry leaves
● A pinch of hing
● Salt to taste
Optional Add-ins:
● Cashew nuts
● Coriander leaves for garnish
● 2 teaspoons lime juice
● 1 teaspoon sugar
Now you know what ingredients are needed to make foxtail millet upma. Let’s see how to make foxtail millet upma. Follow the step-by-step procedure given below to prepare foxtail millet upma.
Step-by-Step Foxtail Millet Upma Recipe
This roasted foxtail millet upma recipe is all you need for your mornings. It is a more nutritious version of the classic semolina upma. It is gluten-free due to its nature, is rich in fibre, and is ready in a flash. So it is perfect for busy mornings when you don’t want to compromise on health or taste.
Step 1: Dry Roast the Foxtail Millet
● Heat a medium-sized kadai or heavy-bottomed pan on a low flame.
● Add 1 cup of foxtail millet and dry roast over low heat for about 5-6 minutes, stirring it at regular intervals until your kitchen is filled with the aroma of nuts.
● This step flavors and keeps the millet from getting mushy. Once completed, store it in a bowl and reserve.
Step 2: Fry the Nuts in Hot Oil
● In the same pan, put 1 tablespoon of oil or ghee.
● Add a small amount of groundnuts and cashew nuts once heated.
● Fry until golden crisp.
● Take them out and reserve them for garnish later.
Step 3: Prepare the Tempering
In the remaining oil, add:
● 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
● 1 tablespoon urad dal
● 1 tablespoon chana dal
● A pinch of hing (asafoetida)
Let the mustard seeds splutter and the dals turn a yellowish brown.
Step 4: Add Aromatics
Add in now:
● 2 chopped green chillies
● 8-10 curry leaves
● 1-inch piece of grated ginger
Fry for a few seconds until the raw smell goes away.
Step 5: Add Veggies (Optional but Recommended)
At this stage, you can add the following ingredients to get a better taste:
● ½ cup green peas
● 1 chopped carrot
● Some beans or capsicum, if you like
Stir-fry for a few minutes until the veggies are half-cooked but still retain their crunch.
Step 6: Add the Roasted Millet
● Keep the fried foxtail millet one more time in the pan.
● Put everything together and roast for 1-2 minutes more so the millet receives the flavour of tempering and veggies.
Step 7: Season It
Add:
● Salt, to taste
● A pinch of sugar. (This is optional)
● Combine everything well.
Step 8: Add Boiling Water
● Hold the flame, and pour enough cups of hot water into the kadai.
● Stir rapidly so that there will be no lumps, and immediately cover with a lid.
● Let it cook for 5-7 minutes undisturbed.
Step 9: Check and Finish Cooking
● Open the pan lid after about 5 minutes and check.
● If all the water is absorbed and the millet becomes soft and pale, then it is done.
● In case there still remains a little amount of water, keep the kadai open and simmer on a low flame for a few minutes more.
Step 10: Add Final Touches
Post Cooking:
● Squeeze a lemon to add that wonderful zing.
● Garnish with coriander leaves and fried nuts.
● Break the upma slightly with a spatula or a fork so that it does not stick.
Tips to Make Perfect Millet Upma
Have you thought of taking your foxtail millet upma to a whole new level? Here are some expert tips:
● Dry roast the millet prior to cooking if you would like the nutty flavor.
● Add some other veggies, such as beans, capsicum, or spinach, for extra nutrition.
● Enhance the taste by using vegetable stock in place of water.
● Finish with grated coconut or a spoonful of curd.
Health Benefits of Foxtail Millet Upma
Let’s put flavor aside for a moment and discuss why this foxtail millet breakfast is one of the healthiest things you can do to begin your day. Yes, it is positively scrumptious and is also a nutritional powerhouse that does your body a whole lot of good.
Assists with Weight Loss
Want to lose a few kilos without sacrificing actual food? This upma is a lifesaver. It contains fewer calories but more fiber. Thus, it keeps you full for longer and prevents morning hunger pangs.
Sugar-Steady and Diabetic-Friendly
That makes this foxtail millet breakfast recipe a clever choice for those with diabetes or just looking for improved blood sugar control.
Encourages Heart Health Naturally
Foxtail millet contains a sufficient amount of magnesium and is packed with antioxidants, both of which play a role in lowering harmful cholesterol levels and promoting overall heart health. Eating this dish every day is good for your long-term cardiovascular health.
Supports Digestion & Gut Health
If your digestive system could use a little TLC, you’re in the right place. The fiber in foxtail keeps things moving smoothly, reduces bloating, and feeds the good bacteria in your gut.
Plant-Based Protein
This unassuming grain provides a surprising quantity of plant protein to your dish. Top it with legumes, peas, or nuts, and your upma is a filling, energizing breakfast that will sustain you all morning long.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
This foxtail millet breakfast recipe is extremely versatile and simple to prepare by yourself. For a traditionalist touch, accompany with coconut chutney, mint chutney, or a large helping of hot pickle.
Add vegetables, including carrots, peas, or even spinach, for color and nutrients. Require more texture? Include some roasted peanuts or cashews for a bit of crunch.
Like it spicy? Add in some green chilies or even a pinch of red chili powder. Need a richer upma? Cook it in ghee instead of oil, or choose the vegan alternative using coconut oil.
Be creative with leftovers; shape them into patties, fry them, and enjoy them as a tea-time snack. Whichever method you use to serve it, foxtail millet upma best meets your taste, mood, and time of day for a meal.
Summing Up
Short and simple, foxtail millet upma is the ultimate in health, taste, and convenience, just what the busy morning needs. But if you don’t want to skip the preparation without compromising on nutrition, try the Millex multi-millets upma mix. It is a wholesome blend of foxtail, kodo, barnyard, and other millets, made without preservatives or additives. Also, there are some millet recipes for weight loss. Choosing Millex is about convenience and trusting a brand rooted in tradition yet committed to modern wellness.
So the next time you’re wondering what to eat for breakfast that’s fast, filling, and fabulous, reach for Millex’s Multi Millets Upma Mix. It’s not just a product; it’s a step towards healthier living, one bowl at a time!