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How to cook millet traditionally by rinsing, soaking, and then simmering on the stovetop for the most nutritious and digestible breakfast cereal or gluten-free side dish.
Whole grain millet is one of the most popular gluten-free alternatives to wheat, especially for bread-making.
Although consuming in moderation is key because millet is a goitrogenic food, its mild, slightly nutty flavor and pleasing texture are wonderful to enjoy as morning porridge or as a side dish to a main meal.
Similar to overnight oats, a careful preparation process is important to ensure optimal digestibility and nutrition. Letās overview each of these cooking steps before moving on to the easy recipe!
Cooking Millet
Like all grains, millet contains anti-nutrients such as phytic acid. These substances irritate the gastrointestinal tract and block nutrient absorption.
Unfortunately, manufacturers do not take this into consideration. For example, the directions on a package of millet emphasize speed of preparation over optimal digestibility. Hence, it is crucial not to follow these instructions.
Instead, follow the wisdom of traditional cultures to ensure the cooked pearl millet is as nutritious as possible. This involves following an easy, three-step preparation process.
Rinse
Note that whole-grain hulled millet also contains saponins.
These toxins have soap-like properties that are irritating to the gastrointestinal lining. For those with leaky gut syndrome, saponins can enter the bloodstream and trigger an autoimmune response. (1, 2)
Ridding millet of saponins requires a thorough rinse before the soaking process is started.
Soak
Thus, to get the most out of the ancient grain, millet should be soaked for at least 8 hours (and as long as 24 hours) before cooking. This mimics the careful preparation practiced by ancestral African cultures that depended on millet as a staple.
This step helps neutralizes these harmful substances to protect the gut and encourage the optimal metabolism of minerals.
Bring to a Boil, then Simmer
Once the soaking process is complete, millet pearls must be fully cooked to complete the deactivation of the antinutrients.
Note that consuming soaked millet that is uncooked is not a healthy practice. Resist the modern practice of powdering raw whole grains in a food processor and adding to smoothies and the like.
How to Cook Millet Porridge
How to prepare millet by soaking before cooking for the most nutritious and digestible breakfast cereal or gluten-free side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole grain millet preferably organic
- 3 cups filtered water
- 1 Tbl lemon juice about 1/4 large lemon
- 1 pinch sea salt
Instructions
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Rinse millet thoroughly in a strainer with filtered water.
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Place millet in a medium saucepan.
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Pour in 2 cups filtered water and lemon juice and stir.
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Cover and leave on the counter for 8 hours or overnight.
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After soaking is complete, remove cover and stir in an additional cup of filtered water and a pinch of sea salt.
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Bring to a boil, stir, lower heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes or until millet pearls are tender.
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Add butter, cream and whole sweetener or fruit of choice and serve immediately.
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Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Recipe Video
References
(1)Ā Millet Grains and Nutrition
(2)Ā 10 Antinutrients to Get Out of Your Diet
Thank you so much my Sarah for sharing this recipe! It is great and I loved to cook it! I will definitely try your other recipe probably this weekend!
Sprouted millet can be found at healthyflour.com
I’ve been fermenting my breakfast grains on the counter for about a week and this has helped tremendously with digestion. I mix up a combination of grains with some dried fruit add water to cover and a tablespoon of starter. When I’m ready i boil 1/4 cup of milk , take of the heat and add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of my grains , add a little butter and sweetener.
The recipe sounds great. Thank you for sharing the proper way to cook millet.
Do you discard the soak water and replace it with fresh filtered water for the actual cooking? Thanks
No need to do this as the millet has already been rinsed. Do it if you like.
Millet mush (as we call the porridge) is one of our favorite breakfast items. I found a source that sells sprouted organic millet. Can I use this without overnight soaking? Does sprouting sufficiently remove the anti-nutrients so that overnight soaking would not be needed?
Thanks for sharing the wealth of helpful information!
Yes, if the millet is sprouted, you don’t need to soak. Where do you get sprouted millet? I’ve never seen it anywhere. That is very exciting!
You DO still need to rinse the sprouted millet before cooking though.
Will you pls add directions for an overnight slow cooker?
good job. nice