Ragi malt is a weight loss millet drink that is very healthy. It is gluten free and very energising.
You can have it in place of breakfast as it will keep you full. It is also known to have a cooling effect on your body.
Ragi is finger millet that is a supergrain. It has multiple health benefits and is widely used here in South Indian cuisine.
You can check out my recipes of Ragi Rotti, Ragi Dosa. Ragi malt is also called Ragi Ambli here in Karnataka.
It is made two ways -- either salty or sweet.
Benefits of Ragi or Finger Millet
Ragi or finger millet is a wonderfood excellent for your health.
1. It is one of the highest non-dairy sources of Calcium, excellent for our bones and teeth.
2. It is rich in iron and hence is very useful in battling anemia.
It is also high in Vitamin C, dietary fibre and protein.
3. It keeps you full for longer as it has low glycemic index hence is useful in weight management.
4. It is a natural source of Vitamin D and along with amino acids, it helps in keeping your skin healthy.
5. It is also known to help prevent diabetes and regulate blood sugar effectively.
6. It is high in antioxidants and amino acids that helps with battling anxiety and insomnia.
Hence it makes sense to include ragi or finger millet in your daily diet.
I am in awe of Karnataka food where ragi is included in multiple ways in the daily diet.
Here's how to make ragi malt or weight loss millet drink:
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 2 people
Calories 203 kcal
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp ragi or finger millet powder
- 2 cups water
For Salty version
- 1.5 cups buttermilk
- ½ onion finely chopped
- 1 green chilli finely chopped
- 1 tbsp. cilantro chopped
- salt as per taste
- few curry leaves chopped
For Sweet version
- 1.5 cups milk
- 2 tbsp. jaggery
- ½ tsp. cardamom powder
Instructions
First dissolve finger millet or ragi powder in some water to make a thin paste.
Heat 1.5 cups water. When it comes to a boil, add ragi mixed in water.
Cook on low heat for about 3-4 minutes till you get a smooth, glossy, cooked finger millet mix. It turns dark brown in colour.
Keep it aside to cool down a bit.
For Salty ragi malt
Add 1.5 cups buttermilk to the cooked ragi and mix well.
It should be a smooth, runny consistency and not with lumps.
Add salt, chopped onions, chilli, cilantro and curry leaves. Mix well and taste.
You can consume it right away or you can chill in the fridge and have. Ragi malt is ready to have.
For sweet ragi malt
Add 1.5 cups cold milk to the cooked ragi. Mix well so that there are no lumps.
Now add powdered jaggery/sugar and cardamom powder. Serve cold.
Ragi malt is ready to serve.
Recipe Notes
1. As ragi or finger millet does not have any taste of its own, the savoury ragi malt tastes similar to buttermilk and the sweet one similar to a milk drink.
2. This method of making ragi malt helps you eat this wonderful millet in a very delectable manner.
Your kids will enjoy having this.
3. You can prepare cooked ragi and keep in the fridge. That way you can quickly make sweet or savoury ragi malt when needed.
4. You can skip any ingredient you don't like eg. curry leaves or onions.
You can also add other seasoning that you like eg. chopped mint leaves etc.
5. You can also add chopped nuts to your sweet version if you like.
Step-by-step Pictures
Dissolve ragi or finger millet powder in some water.
Boil 1.5 cups of water.
Add ragi mixed in water to the boiled water and cook till finger millet mix is well cooked.
Mix buttermilk for savoury version (or cold milk for sweet version) to form a smooth beverage.
Add curry leaves, cilantro, green chilli, onions with salt and serve ragi malt (Add jaggery and cardamom powder to the milk version for sweet ragi malt).
Do make this wonderful and super healthy ragi malt done two ways. Your kids and family will enjoy it.
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Ragi Malt | Weight Loss Pearl Millet Drink
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon ragi finger millet powder
- 2 cups water
For Salty version
- 1.5 cups buttermilk
- ½ onion finely chopped
- 1 green chilli finely chopped
- 1 tbsp. cilantro chopped
- salt as per taste
- few curry leaves chopped
For Sweet version
- 1.5 cups milk
- 2 tbsp. jaggery
- ½ tsp. cardamom powder
Instructions
- First dissolve finger millet or ragi powder in some water to make a thin paste.
- Heat 1.5 cups water. When it comes to a boil, add ragi mixed in water. Cook on low heat for about 3-4 minutes till you get a smooth, glossy, cooked finger millet mix. It turns dark brown in colour. Keep it aside to cool down a bit.
For Salty ragi malt
- Add 1.5 cups buttermilk to the cooked ragi and mix well. It should be a smooth, runny consistency and not with lumps. Add salt, chopped onions, chilli, cilantro and curry leaves. Mix well and taste. You can consume it right away or you can chill in the fridge and have. Ragi malt is ready to have.
For sweet ragi malt
- Add 1.5 cups cold milk to the cooked ragi. Mix well so that there are no lumps. Now add powdered jaggery/sugar and cardamom powder. Serve cold. Ragi malt is ready to serve.
Notes
- As ragi or finger millet does not have any taste of its own, the savoury ragi malt tastes similar to buttermilk and the sweet one similar to a milk drink.
- This method of making ragi malt helps you eat this wonderful millet in a very delectable manner.
- Your kids will enjoy having this.
- You can prepare cooked ragi and keep in the fridge. That way you can quickly make sweet or savory ragi malt when needed.
- You can skip any ingredient you don't like eg. curry leaves or onions. You can also add other seasoning that you like eg. chopped mint leaves etc.
- You can also add chopped nuts to your sweet version if you like.
Nutrition
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Shailaja Vishwanath says
Been having ragi malt since childhood ? Growing up in Chennai, it was one of the best ways to beat the heat, especially the savoury version. Even in college, in Anantapur, in Andhra Pradesh, it was a welcome drink we’d have every day once January began. Our hostel would make a HUGE vat of this and dole out innumerable cups to all the students. Bliss!
I’ve started having ragi malt (jaggery and milk version almost daily ) for the last month now. Such a welcome and refreshing drink.
Your post reminded me of the savoury variety which my grandmother used to make and then my mom continued to make. Shall make it soon.
Agree with you on the sheer variety of ragi dishes in Karnataka.
Rachna says
I have only started having it regularly, of late. I love it. Kids are also having it now. I do make ragi dosa and rotti regularly. But now I am making this daily. Really loving it. ?
Image Earth Travel says
Never heard of this one Rachna! Your recipes always make me hangry!
Obsessivemom says
Never heard of this but I'll go looking for Ragi powder now. Seems like a good change from my regular buttermilk.
Rajlakshmi says
the last time I tried this, it was a disaster. Maybe because I got the measurement wrong. But this time I will follow your recipe for the sweet malt. It looks so good.
Sanch @ Sanch Writes says
I'm not sure if we get this here. Will keep an eye out for it as it does seem simple to make
Neeraja says
Can we have this at night for weight loss ?
Rachna says
It is generally recommended in the morning or afternoon.
Neeraja says
It is easy to prepare
Rachna says
Thank you! It is.
Sonali says
Hi, I have never tried the savoury version of ragi and am excited to try out your recipe. I was wondering if the same can be done for the multi millet mix where ragi is the main ingredient? I got this ready pack sometime back and don’t enjoy the sweet version. I also would like to know how to make the ragi ahead and preserve it? How many days can be kept in fridge?
Rachna says
Hi Sonali, If your multi millet mix is well roasted, you can definitely try this recipe. Hope, your mix does not have some whole lentils etc. because they will not get cooked in the short cooking time. You can cook the ragi mix in water and store in air tight jar for upto 2 days in the fridge. Before consuming heat on pan, add buttermilk and garnishes and consume. This way will be faster. Do not add buttermilk when storing in fridge.