Foxtail Millet Pilaf Recipe
Description:
The Foxtail Millet Pilaf is a delightful, one-pot dish that balances sweet and savory flavors, offering a comforting and aromatic experience. Traditionally, pilafs are made with rice and seasoned with broth to create a rich, flavorful dish. The rice is often sautéed in oil to achieve a golden or brown color before simmering in the broth. While pilafs can be enhanced with seafood or meats, this version is simple, vegetarian, and perfect for a hearty meal. The combination of pearl onions, earthy mushrooms, and the sweet tang of prunes and raisins gives this pilaf a unique depth of flavor. Made in a pressure cooker, this recipe simplifies the process while retaining all the deliciousness.
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Course: Lunch
Diet: Diabetic-Friendly
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Foxtail Millet | 1 cup |
| Button Mushrooms, quartered | 250 grams |
| Cinnamon Stick (Dalchini) | 1 inch |
| Cardamom (Elaichi) Pods/Seeds | 1 |
| Onion, sliced | 1 |
| Garlic, chopped | 4 cloves |
| Dried Oregano | 1 tablespoon |
| Rosemary | 1 tablespoon |
| Black Pepper Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Turmeric Powder (Haldi) | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Prunes, sliced | 4 |
| Sultana Raisins | 1 tablespoon |
| Salt | To taste |
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Serves: 4
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Pressure Cooker:
Begin by heating a pressure cooker with a small amount of oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods. Let them crackle for a few seconds, releasing their fragrant oils. -
Sauté Aromatics:
Add the chopped garlic and sliced onions to the cooker. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the onions become soft and caramelized. This process enhances the natural sweetness of the onions, creating a rich base for the pilaf. -
Season the Pilaf:
To the onions and garlic, add the dried oregano, rosemary, black pepper powder, and turmeric powder. Stir the mixture, allowing the spices to bloom and infuse the oil, about 2 minutes. Season with salt to taste. -
Add Sweet Elements:
Add the sliced prunes and sultana raisins to the cooker. The prunes add a delightful depth of sweetness, while the raisins introduce a pleasant texture. Stir everything together for a final sauté to marry the flavors. -
Cook the Millet:
Rinse the foxtail millet under cold water to remove any impurities. Add the washed millet to the cooker, stirring it into the spiced onion mixture. For extra flavor, you can choose to use chicken stock, or simply add 2 cups of water if you prefer a vegetarian option. -
Pressure Cook:
Close the lid of the pressure cooker and cook the millet on high pressure for 4 whistles. After the pressure releases naturally, open the cooker and fluff the pilaf with a fork to separate the grains. -
Serve and Enjoy:
Serve the Foxtail Millet Pilaf warm, accompanied by a side of refreshing raita and a crisp salad. This combination makes for a wholesome and complete meal that’s perfect for lunch.
Enjoy this healthy, diabetic-friendly dish that’s both comforting and packed with flavors. The balance of sweet and savory in this Middle Eastern-inspired pilaf makes it an easy, satisfying meal any day of the week!
