Perfect Millet in the Instant Pot
Millet is my new thing. So, move aside Quinoa! And hence a post on how to make perfect millet.
Deepta heads of for her internship next weekend. And then college. Time almost passes like the blink of an eye. Despite being really busy at work, I cannot shake of the impending sense of emptiness. The feeling of when your chick is ready to fly away from home. Hence, the term empty next. I have been trying to do a crash course on food basics. Despite the amount of food cooked in the house, her actual exposure to cooking is relatively minimal.
My Story of Cooking Millet
The last week I spent a lot of time looking at wholesome options in the store. I was actually very surprised to see that Whole Foods Market has an entire freezer section devoted to cooked grains. I figure getting these down is an easy start. With an instant pot, it is even easier. Actually, having a mini is a great idea for a minimalist. Because in addition to the pressure cooker, you can actually use it as a sauté pan. So lesson number two is making perfect millet in the instant pot.
Lesson one in case you are wondering is cooking rice.
So, we use a fair number of whole grains aka ancient grains in our cooking. Of course, we are also rice eaters. Millet cooks extremely easily and if you have cooked millet on hand, you can make a pilaf like this, add it to soup, or just enjoy it as a whole grain side. It tends to keep one fuller longer.
I have found it fairly convenient to buy these grains of Amazon. I like Bob’s Whole Mill getting my whole grains. The millet being used here is pearled. It is high in fiber, minerals, and protein. Use it much like rice.
It keeps well for up to a week. And it cooks in about 15 minutes in the instant pot. Just one minute of pressure with natural release. It takes about 25 minutes on the stove top. But plenty easy either way.
Uses of Perfect Millet
As mentioned, this is great as a rice substitute. It is wonderful in this millet and cauliflower soup with red lentils. For a sweeter take consider this millet and cashew nut pudding.
If you like this recipe and want more ideas, do join my Indian Instant Pot Facebook group. Of course Instant Indian is ready for order, joining its siblings The Bengali Five Spice Chronicles and Spices and Seasons.
How to cook millet in the instant pot or stove top
Ingredients
- 1 cup millet
- 1 and 1/4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place the millet, water, and salt in the instant pot. Set to 2 minutes of high pressure allow a natural release. You should have perefectly cooked grains of millet for your use.
Notes
To cook this on the stove top increase the water by a cup. Add the water and millet andin a heavy bottomed pot. Bring to a boil, lower the temperature and simmer covered for about 20 minutes. All the water should be absorbed by now. Let it rest for about 10 minutes, Fluff and serve.
Patsy Bradley
Is it necessary to soak the millet before using the IP method?
rinkub@aol.com
No not needed for the pearled millet.