Kambu (Bajra) Sadam and Koozh (Pearl Millet Savory Porridge)

Ingredients

• Pearl millet (whole) or kambu – 1 cup
• Buttermilk – 1 cup
• Green chilli – 2 no
• Pearl onion – few
• Water – 2 cup
• Salt – as per taste

Method

• Kambu sadam: Sprinkle some water in pearl millet and keep for 10 minutes; put it in a mixi jar and run the mixer once or twice in whipper mode; now the grain is partially mashed mildly.
• Add water and wash once to remove extra skin or fiber; add 2 cups of water and pressure cook it like rice; now the pearl millet is cooked and can be consumed as Kambu Sadam with any curry or gravy.
• Kamban koozh: Shape this cooked kambu as small balls and keep it in water for couple of hours (5 to 6 hours).
• Mash the balls well, add buttermilk, sufficient water, salt and mix well.
• Garnish with chopped onion, green chilli and serve chilled.

Tips

• Alternate method: You can mix pearl millet flour in water (for one cup flour use three cup water) and cook till thick; after cooling, mix with buttermilk, salt and serve.
• When cooked, pearl millet gives a nice aroma.