Millet is a very popular gluten-free grain which is highly digestible and packs a multitude of vitamins and nutrients. Served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, millet porridge is one way of serving this grain. Making millet porridge is as simple as boiling it in water or milk, though pre-soaking the millet will reduce cooking time. Most chefs will flavor the millet porridge with a variety of ingredients including vanilla, honey, maple syrup, and cinnamon.
Pre-soaking the millet before it is cooked is way a of reducing the cooking time. The millet can be soaked in water overnight and then rinsed before it is cooked. Some recipes suggest a soaking process which involves boiling the grain for ten minutes and then rinsing it before the actual cooking of the millet porridge begins.
Cooking the millet in a combination of water and milk is a good idea. This creates a richer base for the porridge. Using water alone will, however, reduce the calories.
Millet porridge can be cooked in one of two ways. The porridge can be cooked with a top left on the pot. This will create a dryer, more airy porridge. The porridge can also be cooked with the top off. If this process is used, liquid will have to be added during the cooking time or the porridge will dry out and scorch.
Whatever the chosen process, a key to cooking millet porridge to make sure that all of the water is completely absorbed by the millet. If there is additional liquid remaining when the allotted time is up for the cooking process, allow the porridge to continue cooking. Be careful to watch the porridge so that it does not scorch on the bottom.
To speed the cooking time, instead of using grain to make millet porridge it is possible to use flakes or flour. Millet flakes or millet flour are generally available in many of the same places that the grains are offered. Either of these will create a porridge that is much smoother than the course one which the grains will produce.
It is common to add spices when making millet porridge. Vanilla and cinnamon are often the most commonly called-for spices in most recipes. Many times a whole vanilla bean will be added to the porridge while it is cooking and then will be removed immediately prior to serving. People who favor eating non-reconstituted foods will often choose this method of flavoring, as it is the most natural.
As millet porridge lacks much flavoring simply on its own, honey or maple sugar can be drizzled over it. Sugar-free preserves can be stirred into it as well, which will add not only flavor but some texture too. Fresh strawberries or blueberries are a nice addition as they add both flavor and vitamins and anti-oxidants.
