Ragi Manni (ragi halva)

This is a Mangalorean dessert packed with nutrition. It is also a coolant and easy to digest. So in the south of India, it is often a baby's first solid food, but now this power food is gaining popularity and I have seen that everyone is at least aware about ragi. Having my origins from Karnataka, I have seen my mom make ragi mudde (ragi balls made by cooking in boiling water), ragi rotti, ragi dosa and ragi manni. In the sweet form, ragi can be made into kheer, pudding or halva depending upon the consistency of the finished product and the amount of ragi flour used in the recipe. I think if you are watching your weight and want to have something sweet, ragi manni would be the answer to your dilemma. It is low in fat and just adjust sweetness, make it milder and you will do good to your body.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup finger millet flour/ ragi flour
• 1 cup jaggery/ sugar or brown sugar (can reduce the amount to half if you do not mind less sweet)
• 1 cup coconut milk or 2 tbsp coconut powder
• 1 cup milk (optional but manni will be more creamy)
• 2 cups water (if not using milk increase it to 3)
• 1 tbsp ghee
• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts (almonds, cashewnuts- if making for babies omit or grind the nuts and add) 

Directions:

• Mix ragi flour and water. If your flour is in fine powdered form you do not have to strain it, but if you see husks strain the mixture before using. I skip this step as I get very fine ragi at my local grocery store.
• Now start heating this liquid ragi in a thick bottomed, non-stick pan. Add coconut milk and milk and keep stirring on medium flame. When it start getting thicker add jaggery and ghee and mix.
• Ensure that there is no settling at the bottom and keep on stirring. Try to keep it smooth, mixing lumps when formed.
• Keep on cooking till the mixture is thick like halva. At this stage mix nuts and cardamom powder, mix well.
• Remove from heat and pour it into greased casserole or Indian thali. Garnish with nuts if you want.
• Let it cool completely, cut it into desired shape and serve, or refrigerate and have later. It tastes good warm or cool.
• Enjoy!