Kambu Sadam (Pearl Millet Rice) / Kambu Koozh (Pearl Millet Porridge)

Pearl Millet is easily digestible and highly nutritious cereal, rich in vitamins & minerals (vitamin-E, B-complex, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin).  This is a gluten free grain and is known for its high iron content.

With its high fibre content, it is good for diabetics in maintaining the glucose levels normal.  

It is known by Sajje in Kannada, Kambu in Tamil, Bajra in Hindi, Sajjalu in Telugu, Kambam in Malayalam and Pearl Millet in English.

Here is an authentic / traditional recipe of Tamilnadu using Pearl Millet.

Ingredients:

Pearl Millet (Kambu) - 1 cup
Water - 4 cups
Salt - to taste

Directions:

Wash the grain and drain completely; keep aside for 20 minutes.

Add this in batches into a mixer and grind to a coarse powder.

Heat 4 cups of water in a vessel / pot (Kambu to Water ratio is 1:4; this may differ according to the variety of Kambu being used).

Add powdered Kambu in hot water and mix thoroughly. Reduce the flame and allow it to cook for 15 to 20 minutes, till the grains becomes soft.  Add salt to taste.

Stir in between to prevent the mixture sticking to the pan. Once it is cooled it tend to thicken. Serve this healthy, energy rich dish with any spicy gravy.  

Kambu Koozh Recipe:

Ingredients:

Kambu rice - 1 cup

Buttermilk - 2 cups 

Water - to dilute
Salt - to taste

Directions:

Roll the leftover kambu sadam into small spheres and place in water just to the level of covering it; keep inside the fridge for the remaining use. 

When you want to serve, Mix the rice along with the curd and water. Adjust salt according to your taste.

Natural and energy rich cooler is ready to eat preferably with coconut thuvaiyal / chopped small onions with green chillies.