This one-pot, pressure cooker millet pulao is a nutritious and delicious lunch or dinner option. It is easy, requires no pre-preparation, and will become a favorite for you soon!
I have recently started incorporating millets into my diet. To start with, I started substituting it for rice with regular meals like sambar, rasam and over time, I find them really easy to cook and quick to make as well. There are several types of millets and here are some that I have tried.
- Foxtail millet, called Thinai in tamil
- Little millet, called Samai in tamil
- Kodo millet, called Varagu in tamil
- Barnyard millet, called Kuthiravali in tamil
- Finger millet, called Ragi in tamil
I am sharing the tamil names here because that is how I refer to them. Millets are native to India so there are regional names for all of them. Do a quick google search with the English name to know what it is called. This link has names in some languages.
Ragi is still exclusively used in several Karnataka homes however I am not too sure if other millets are used so much in Tamil cuisine until recently. In the last few years, there has been an increased awareness and focus on reviving millets in India. It is nowadays easily available in major supermarkets in India and in most Indian stores abroad ( I live in Australia and get them here, only in a few brands but they are present).
Millets are naturally gluten-free, contain fiber, and are a good source of magnesium too. If you are like me and take a magnesium supplement, this is something you should look at!
Cooking Millets
I have only tried cooking kodo millet and little millet. However, I am sure this method will also work for barnyard millet and foxtail millet. Millets require no pre-soaking and can be cooked using a pressure cooker or Instant Pot.
- Millets require pre-rinsing. DO not think they are clean, they may be but still require rinsing well. This also helps to remove the slight bitterness in millets. Rinse them well for 3-4 times.
- Drain all the water compeltely. Ensure there is no water at all.
- For millets, I use a ratio of 1:2. Add fresh water to the millets and transfer it to a vessel.
- If cooking in a pressure cooker – Add some water to the pressure cooker. Place this vessel inside the pressure cooker and cook for 3 whistles on medium flame. Turn the heat off and let pressure naturally settle.
- If cooking in an Instant Pot – Add some water to the Instant Pot. Place the vessel inside the IP and cook for 6 minutes on Manual. Let pressure release naturally.
Millet Pulao recipe
This is a recipe for a jiffy pulao, it is simple, one-pot, can be done directly on a pressure cooker, and is yet another eat and make in 30 minutes kind of meal.
Millet Pulao – One-Pot Pressure Cooker Pulao
Ingredients
Dry Whole Spices + Fat
- 1 tbsp ghee
- 1 each clove, green cardamom
- 1 inch cinnamon
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
Vegetables + Protein
- 1 tsp chopped ginger or use paste
- 1 tsp chopped garlic or use paste
- ¼ cup sliced onion
- 1 cup mixed vegetables i used carrots, beans, potatoes
- 2 slit green chillies
- ½ cup chickpeas (cooked) substitute with more vegetables or paneer or tofu or any cooked legumes
Powdered Spices – Flavour
- ¼ tsp hing
- ½ tsp red chilli powder
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ¼ tsp garam masala
Grains + Garnish
- ½ cup kodo millet rinsed and drained
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup chopped mint leaves
- 1 tbsp roasted cashewnuts for garnish
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Rinse millets well and keep aside. Ensure all water is completely drained.
- To a 2L pressure cooker, add ghee and then the clove, cardamom and cumin seeds.
- Then, add onions followed by vegetables. Stir well and then add the spices.
- Now, add the drained millets. Stir well. Then, add water. Once the water comes to a boil, add a handful of mint leaves ( i tear them with my hand)
- Close the pressure cooker. Put the whistle on and cook for 2 whistles in medium to low flame.
- Let pressure settle. Garnish and serve!
Notes
- To make this vegan, substitute ghee with oil. If you are not vegan and can include ghee in your diet – I highly recommend it.
- If you are making this in an Instant Pot – cook for 6 minutes and release pressure immediately.
- In all millet dishes, it is highly recommended to remove it from the cooker/IP as soon as it is done. If you leave it in, it tends to get clumpy.
Want more One Pot 30 minute recipes?
Please leave a comment below if you made this recipe, have any questions or thoughts! Your comment will help me learn more about your preferences and will help other readers.
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3 Comments
Admirer
February 9, 2024 at 3:06 amSounds great, let me try it out – thank you!
Arpita
August 22, 2024 at 5:09 pmWhat type of millet you are using, coz I made it with barnyard millet and before even the 1st whistle I could smell a burning smell. Did you soak the millet? The recipe is not correct.
myflavourfactory
August 22, 2024 at 9:11 pmI have used kodo millet in this recipe. Did you cook 1/2 cup of millets with 1 cup of water in a 2 L cooker and get a burning smell?