RAGI PORRIDGE(SWEET,SPICY VERSION)/RAGI KANJI-RAGI RECIPES

• Ragi flour – 1/4 cup
• Water – 2 cups

For sweet version

• Ragi Porridge – 1 cup
• Grated jaggery -1.5-2 tbsp
• Cardamom – 1 seed(crushed)
• Water – little
• Salt- a pinch
• Boiled Milk – as needed(optional)
• Chopped nuts(optional)

For spicy version

• Ragi Porridge – 1 cup
• Salt – as needed
• Curd – 2 tbsp
• Water – 1/4 cup

To temper

• Oil – 1 tsp
• Mustard seeds – 1/4 tsp
• Urad dal -1/4 tsp
• Curry leaves – few
• Red chilli – 1/2 no(pinched)
• Coriander leaves – few(optional)

• In a wide bowl,mix the ragi flour in the mentioned quantity of water.Mix without lumps using a whisk and boil for few minutes till it becomes thick (porridge consistency).Stir whenever needed.

• Switch off the flame and divide the porridge in two bowls.
• For sweet version,add grated jaggery to one bowl and boil for few minutes till jaggery melts and raw smell emanates.Switch off the flame and add cardamom powder,milk.Stir well and serve hot or warm(Remember, this porridge thickens after it cools down.So add more milk or water to adjust the consistency before serving).Add chopped nuts( if using) and serve.Generally ragi takes less jaggery.So use carefully.Do not add more jaggery.If you feel sweetness is more,add more milk or water to adjust it.

• For spicy version,temper all the ingredients given above and add to the porridge.
• Whisk curd & water.Make thick buttermilk and add to porridge.To this add salt,hing Mix well and serve.Add fresh curry leaves,coriander leaves & serve.Ragi porridge needs lesser salt than usual.So add accordingly.

• Color of this porridge may vary based on the quantity of milk & buttermilk u add.
• To make this porridge more flavourful,soak ragi grains overnight and grind it smooth the next morning adding required water.Dilute it and make porridge as given above.It tastes fresh and more flavourful too.
• Use fresh curd for spicy version.If using sour curd,use very less quantity else porridge will turn too sour.Generally ragi needs less jaggery & less curd.So adjust as per ur taste buds.
• For variations,u can add sugar or palm jaggery in sweet version.U can also omit milk and add water to adjust the consistency.
• Add finely chopped nuts if making for kids.

For babies of 6 months old:
If giving for the first time,take 2-3 tsp of ragi in a bowl,Add 1 cup of water,mix without lumps.Boil till it thickens and becomes shiny.Make sure u stir well else it would be burnt in the bottom.After it thickens,add sugar & cardamom powder OR salt & thick curd.Mix well & serve in spoonable consistency.
If u want to feed in bottle,add some milk & sugar OR  little salt and buttermilk,make it runny and adjust sugar and feed.