Often overlooked for more fashionable grains millet is a nutritious and delicious whole grain, this is how to cook it!
What is Millet?
Despite being relatively unheard of in "popular" foodie circles and mainly considered bird food, millet is an exceptionally important grain in the human food chain.
It is used to create everything from beer (rah) to bread. This stuff is versatile if it is anything!
Like quinoa, it is considered to be a whole grain, and it is packed full of nutrition.
I love the stuff because it has a more pronounced flavour than quinoa, and it is also a third of the price of quinoa in our local stores.
Now, if you eat quinoa to get some protein, then you are better off sticking with it. This is because quinoa has a different amino acid profile, meaning that it offers a complete protein.
But for all other nutrition values, they are pretty much neck and neck.
I'm less bothered about all that stuff, I eat it because I like it!
What Does Millet Taste Like?
In the main it is pretty neutral, although it has a mild nutty flavour.
A flavour that is accentuated when you toast it as I do in my recipe at the bottom of the page.
I think that it has a great affinity with citrus flavours and I will often add a big whack of lemon juice to the cooking water.
This works particularly well when served with fish!
I usually use it as a side but it is equally delicious tossed through a salad.
How to Cook Millet
As I mentioned above, millet is an ingredient with great diversity, but I concentrate on cooking it in one way.
And that is "poached" in a water and butter mix.
There is a simple formula: you want twice as much liquid as millet in terms of weight, not volume!.
It is then a simple matter of simmering over a low heat until it has a slight bite but is no longer "grainy".
Be warned, Millet is a strange old beast, though, cooking times vary considerably. That is true even within the same brand!
So you should test for 15 minutes to check it, but be prepared for it to take as long as 30!
Letting it rest at the end of the cooking process is really important, and you should not skip this step.
Toasted Millet Recipe
Ingredients
- 150 g Millet ¾ Cup
- 300 ml Water 1¼ Cups
- 15 g Butter 1 Tbsp
- Salt (to taste)
- Fresh Herbs (optional)
Instructions
- Place a dry pan over a medium heat. When it is hot, add the millet and toast for 3 or 4 minutes, swirling occasionally.
- Add the water and butter and bring to a boil.
- Season generously with salt, reduce the heat, add a lid and allow to gently simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- The millet is cooked when it has a very slight bite but is not chalky.
- Remove the millet from the heat and allow sit covered with a tight lid for 5 minutes.
- Throw in a load of fresh herbs to serve.
Aniko
Friday 28th of February 2025
Hi Brian. Could I ask how does the name of your website come from?
Brian Jones
Saturday 1st of March 2025
Hey Aniko... I'm guessing that you have spotted the Hungarian name :)
I spent 13 years living in Rural Hungary and was living there when I launched my website, I am sure you know that Krumpli is a colloquial term for potato, in English you would use the term "spud" which also happens to be a common nickname in the UK for someone who is a little short or small. When I was a kid (early teens) I played for a senior sports team, and was a wee bit smaller than everyone else, so was often called spud... as a result it was a name it just ticked all of the boxes, I also like potatoes 🤣
All the best.
Brian