Features of the preparation of friable millet porridge
In the modern world, there are many products, the use of which will help to simultaneously achieve pleasure and get the necessary charge with all the useful components. For example, it seems to many that millet porridge is not an ideal snack option. There are plenty of reasons for such an opinion. The most common is the lack of knowledge about the features of the preparation of crumbly millet porridge.
Basic cooking secrets
Many chefs with significant experience in preparing such dishes note the existence of a number of features that must be taken into account, regardless of which particular recipe is being implemented.
The main requirements for the selection of cereals can be attributed to the following factors.
- So that the porridge is not rancid, you must carefully look at the date of its production. Even if there are 2-3 months left before the expiration date, it is better to refuse such a purchase, as the product may deteriorate due to improper storage.
- It is best to give preference to the product in plastic packaging, which protects it from additional moisture.
- Delicious porridge can only be obtained from yellow nucleoli, which at the same time indicates both the freshness of the grain and the fact that the product has gone through the correct grinding process.
Any cereal is characterized by the presence of a small amount of dust and oils that stimulate the process of gluing the grains during the cooking process.The main task of any cook is getting rid of these substances. To achieve a positive result, the cereal is thoroughly washed under boiling water. Doing this is not easy. It is best to pour the cereal into a container and fill it with the appropriate amount of water (for example, you can take 100 grams of all the necessary components). Next, you need to bring the cereal to the boiling process, pour everything into a pre-washed sieve and rinse well under tap water. All of these actions help to maximize the cleaning of cereals.
Another secret is the competent selection of butter, which should be used to fill an already prepared dish. Since so many citizens are extremely wary of such products, not everyone is inclined to add it to food.
If we talk about millet porridge, then for her such actions will not be the best option. Indeed, without oil, the grains will begin to stick together, which means that there can be no question of any friability.
Features of cooking porridge on the water
Many housewives are well aware that porridge can be cooked both on the basis of water and on the basis of milk. In both cases, the product should turn out tasty and crumbly.
To implement the first option, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 glass of cereals;
- 2.5 cups of purified water;
- salt;
- oil.
Since various impurities are often found in cereals (for example, dark-colored grains), it is necessary to sort it out. So that the product does not taste bitter, you need to pour boiling water over the base of the product and hold it in it for about 5 minutes (no more, since the swelling process will begin to occur, which may not have the best effect on the taste of the product).After that, with the help of a sieve, the water is drained and the cereal is inspected again (if any impurities remain, they must be removed). Next, the millet must be washed a couple of times in warm water and proceed to the cooking process.
No matter how strange it may sound, but the dishes used to prepare a dish can affect its taste properties. To make the porridge crumbly, it is best to choose a thick and deep pan (preferably made of cast iron). The prepared cereal is laid out in it, water is poured in, and everything is put on medium heat. It is not recommended to cover the container with a lid, immediately after the start of boiling, add salt, then boil the cereal for no longer than 7 minutes. Such a relatively short cooking period is due to the correct implementation of all the necessary preparatory measures that help the grains become much softer.
In order for the dish to be both attractive in taste and retain the maximum amount of useful substances, you should not immediately serve it on the table. After the porridge is seasoned with oil (you can use both creamy and ghee), you need to mix everything, cover and wrap in a warm towel for 10 minutes. This will help the porridge absorb all the necessary liquid and swell additionally. Compliance with all the rules of cooking will help make the cereal crumbly even after cooling.
This dish can be used both as an independent dish and with additions in the form of a variety of sauces and vegetables.
An alternative option is millet porridge in milk, the basic ingredients of which are:
- about 1 standard glass of cereal;
- 2 glasses of water;
- 3 cups of medium fat milk;
- salt and sugar;
- oil.
Water is poured into a saucepan and brought to a boil. After that, it is necessary to pour in the cereal, which has previously undergone thorough preparation, and again bring everything to a boil over a slightly reduced heat (cook for 5 minutes). Then the future dish must be removed from the stove, put the base of milk porridge in a colander and rinse everything in hot water.
After that, a glass of milk is poured into the pan, and it is put on gas. When it boils, you need to add sugar, salt, and also millet. Cooking porridge takes place over low heat until the moment when the milk is completely absorbed. Next, a few thin pieces of butter are placed on the porridge, and it languishes over low heat for 5 minutes. In order for the dish to infuse and acquire an additional attractive taste, it is necessary to wrap it with warm cloth and leave it for half an hour.
Crumbly millet porridge can be served both in its usual form and with the addition of various dried fruits, nuts and other additions that can make it as tasty and nutritious as possible.
Modern cooking technologies
In recent years, technological progress has reached not only computers, but also kitchen appliances. One of the most favorite achievements for many housewives is the slow cooker, with which you can also prepare a full and tasty meal. For example, crumbly millet porridge with meat.
The main ingredients are:
- 2 cups (use a special container designed for multicookers) millet groats;
- one root crop of onions and carrots of medium size;
- meat fillet - 600 grams;
- salt, a variety of seasonings (it is best to use zira and black pepper);
- a large bunch of dill.
Initially, the meat is washed and cut into medium-sized cubes, millet porridge is carefully sorted and washed. In the slow cooker, the optimal mode for baking is selected, meat is added and cooked for no longer than 30 minutes. Vegetables are peeled, added to the meat and fried for no more than 7 minutes. At the final stage of cooking, the cereal itself and spices are added.
The optimal cooking mode is suitable for pilaf, and the whole process should take about an hour. To give the dish an additional aroma and emphasize all the necessary taste qualities, you need to add finely chopped dill 10 minutes before the signal that the dish is ready.
Many are interested in the question of choosing the most suitable type of meat in order to make the dish as tasty as possible. There is no unambiguous criterion in such a case, it all depends strictly on personal preferences, as well as on what spices were used as a supplement. For example, if you use zira, then in such a case, the best meat options are lamb and pork (you need to carefully clean them of fat). If you need to cook dietary varieties, you should pay attention to chicken and beef. Additional options for spices that provide the dish with the most pleasant and rich taste are garlic and basil.
Thus, there are a significant number of options for cooking millet for a side dish, you just need to find the most acceptable option for yourself and strictly follow the indicated recommendations.
See below for how to cook friable millet porridge in water.