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Samak or samvat rice is Barnyard Millet which is loaded with protein and fibre. It is a common choice of ingredient to make dishes during Navratri or days when people are fasting. Boasting a creamy, slightly yellowish colour, the grains are gluten-free and wholesome. No matter what dish you make using this variety of millet, it feels lightweight on the stomach while providing your body with a boost of energy.
Video Credit: Chef Ranveer Brar/ YouTube
Unlike regular rice grains, samak rice is healthier and allows you to sustain for long hours without feeling hungry. You can make a variety of dishes using this ingredient for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you want to incorporate it into your diet, one of the best ways is to kick-start your mornings with a millet-based dish. Here are a few ideas for your consideration.
Samak Rice Dosa
If you would like to eat something hearty, dosa is the perfect pick. Soak samak rice, fenugreek seeds, and urad dal overnight. Grind them in the morning and keep them aside for a few hours. When the batter has fermented, make thin, crispy dosas and serve them with a hot bowl of sambar and delicious coconut and tomato chutneys.
Samak Rice Poha
Soak samak rice, and once they soften, flatten the grains using a rolling pin. Dry roast the millet or you can also opt for light frying until it becomes crispy. Chop a few vegetables of your choice like capsicum, cabbage, carrot, and more and saute them in a kadhai along with a few spices. Toss in samak poha and enjoy a hearty meal in the morning.
Samak Rice Upma
Soak samak rice for a few hours or until the millet softens. Prepare a tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves, dry red chillies, chana dal, urad dal, and chopped green chillies. Add rice to the mix and cook it until it becomes soft and mushy. Add a dollop of ghee on the top and enjoy this wholesome dish before heading out.
Samak Rice Porridge
If you are craving something sweet in the morning, porridge is a perfect dish to make. Instead of regular rice, samak rice is the best pick because of its nutritional value. Add milk to a hot pan and pour in sugar or jaggery according to your taste. Fold in soaked samak rice and allow everything to come together until the millet becomes tender. Add a pinch of cardamom powder and a handful of crushed dried fruits and nuts for garnishing and enjoy the porridge.
Samak Rice Idli
Much like dosa, samak rice can also be used to make idli. You will have to ensure that the rice and urad dal batter has a thick consistency. Grease the idli pan with a few drops of oil, add the batter, and steam the content for at least 15-20 minutes. Enjoy protein-rich idli with sambar and chutneys. You can also make masala idli by adding a few finely chopped vegetables to the mix and tempering the batter.
Samak Rice Uttapam
Once you have prepared the batter of urad dal and samak rice, you can make a variety of dishes using it. One of the easiest dishes to try out is uttapam. To a hot skillet add a ladle full of batter and top it instantly with vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and capsicum. Flip the uttapam once the bottom turns brown and cook it until vegetables attain a slight brown colour. Serve it hot with sambar and chutneys.
Samak Rice Khichdi
If you want to begin your day with a lightweight recipe, opt for samak rice khichdi. It will help you with digestive issues without making you feel like you are overeating. Cook the millet with peanuts, potatoes, green chillies, turmeric powder, and cumin seeds. Add rock salt to taste. You can also cook samak rice with ural or moong dal for an extra serving of protein and fibre. It is the perfect breakfast recipe for fasting days.
