Millet is an ancient grain that was cultivated in the dry climates of northern China and Africa back in Neolithic times. The ancient Romans made porridge from this cereal, and in the Middle Ages, millet was used much more often than wheat. Despite its wide application, in Europe and America, millet has long been considered animal feed. Apart from nutrition, millet also has its application in alternative medicine. Recently, this cereal is becoming more and more popular, especially because more and more people strive for a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Namely, all those who adhere to a gluten-free diet must include millet in their daily menu, because unlike other grains, millet does not contain gluten. You will learn more about this and other advantages of millet and its healing properties in the rest of the text.
Also, we will present you some delicious recipes in which you can use millet.
Medicine
Millet contains large amounts of nutrients and is recommended for everyone. Proteins make up as much as 15% of this cereal, so it is ideal for vegetarians. Also, millet contains large amounts of fiber and B complex vitamins, such as riboflavin, niacin and thiamin. In addition to vitamins, millet also contains minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and manganese.
Health of teeth and bones. Thanks to the large amount of phosphorus, millet helps in building teeth and bones, and is also needed for the growth and renewal of cells, as well as for the production of DNA and RNA.
Cardiovascular health. Millet is extremely good for cardiovascular health. It protects the heart and blood vessels and significantly reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Treatment of asthma. This cereal can also relieve migraine attacks and asthma problems. Research has shown that regular use of millet in the diet can reduce the risk of children’s asthma.
Regulation of blood pressure and cholesterol. Thanks to magnesium and other useful ingredients, millet lowers high blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels.
Anticancer effect. Also, millet is an excellent tool for the prevention and treatment of various types of cancer. Studies have shown that regular consumption of this cereal can reduce the risk of breast cancer in women.
Better digestion. Since it is classified as an alkaline food, millet is easily digested and has a soothing effect on the digestive system. It also regulates digestion and eliminates all problems with constipation, bloating and gas.
Treatment of diabetes. Millet contains little sugar and has a low glycemic index, which is why it is highly recommended for diabetics. The complex carbohydrates found in millet are gradually broken down, so millet has been proven to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Diuretic effect. This cereal is also known for its diuretic properties. Namely, millet cleanses the body of harmful substances and makes it strong and vital.
Treatment of kidney stones. Millet is excellent for treating kidney stones, as it cleans the sand from the kidneys and removes small stones from the bladder and kidneys. To make kidney medicine from millet, you only need to boil 200 g of millet in warm water in the evening. Put the cooked millet in a 2-liter jar, so that 2/3 of the jar is filled with boiling water. Keep the jar in a warm place, and shake it the next day and you will see that a white liquid has appeared. Strain the contents of the jar into another container and drink the liquid during the day.
Strengthening immunity. Since they contain antioxidants, millet is also good for boosting immunity. Its use is recommended for people who are exposed to great physical or mental efforts, and pregnant and lactating women can use it in their diet.
Weight loss. Millet can be very useful for people who want to lose extra pounds. Namely, one cup of this cereal has about 200 calories, which is quite enough to fill you up and give you energy.
Recipes with millet
Millet is a grain that has a slightly sweet taste and a nutty texture. It can be used to prepare both salty and sweet dishes. You can put millet in a salad or fry it with vegetables.
Also, with the addition of honey, cinnamon or milk, millet can be a perfect healthy breakfast that will provide you with energy for the whole day. Below you can see the basic recipe for preparing millet, as well as delicious dishes from this grain.
Recipe 1 (Millet Porridge)
Ingredients:
1 cup millet
2.5 cups of water
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Milk, fruit, brown sugar (optional)
Way of preparation:
First, rinse and drain the millet, then pour 2.5 cups of water into the pot. When the water boils, put 1 cup of millet in it. Cover the pan and lower the temperature, then cook for about 15 minutes. Then, remove the pan from the stove and let it stand for about 20 minutes, then add olive oil and spices as desired.
If you want the millet porridge to be softer, use 3.5 cups of water and cook for about an hour, keeping the pan covered all the time. If, on the other hand, you want the porridge to be a little more crunchy, then it would be good to toast the millet before cooking. You can fry it in a pan at medium temperature for 2-3 minutes, then add water and cover. Millet porridge can be served with milk, brown sugar or fruit.
Recipe 2 (Stuffed peppers with millet)
Ingredients:
4 green peppers
1 cup of millet cereal
2.5 cups of water
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1 chopped onion
2 cloves of garlic
Tomato sauce
2-3 chopped tomatoes
½ cup of white wine
½ spoon of salt
½ spoon of pepper
1 tablespoon of vegeta
Way of preparation:
Put the water in a pot and boil it, then add the millet and reduce the heat. Cover the pan and let it cook on low heat for about half an hour, then remove the pan from the heat. Allow the millet to cool for about 5 minutes. While the millet is cooking, clean the peppers well from the inside and keep them in the microwave for about 15 minutes, so that they soften.
Fry mushrooms and onions in olive oil in a frying pan on medium heat, then add garlic, water and tomatoes. Then add salt and vegeta. Mix all the ingredients and cook for about 10 minutes, until the mixture thickens.
Add the resulting filling to the cooked millet. Mix well and fill the peppers with the mixture and arrange them in the pan. Add a little white wine to the pan, and pour the tomato sauce over the peppers. Cover with aluminum foil and cook the peppers for about half an hour.
