You can easily cook millet in your rice cooker with just 1 cup hulled millet, 1 ½ cups cold water or broth, and ½ teaspoon salt. This Rice cooker Millet recipe will take only 30 minutes, serving 2-3. You can serve your Millet with roasted vegetable salad, millet sweet corn fritters, and Mediterranean chickpea millet salad.
To cook Millet in your Rice Cooker, start by rinsing the millet under cold water to remove bitterness. Add the millet, water or broth, and salt to the cooker. Select the ‘White Rice’ setting and let it cook for about 20 minutes. Allow it to rest for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
Enjoy this simple, nutritious dish that’s perfect for any meal. It’s a foolproof way to get a healthy, delicious side on your table with minimal effort.
What Is Millet?
Millet is a versatile, ancient grain, cultivated for thousands of years across Asia and Africa. It’s a small-seeded grass, widely recognized for its resilience in dry environments. Unlike other grains, millet thrives in less fertile soil, making it a staple in arid regions.
This grain is celebrated for its nutritional profile, being gluten-free and packed with essential nutrients. Millet is rich in fiber, vitamins, particularly B vitamins, and minerals like magnesium and phosphorus. Its mild, slightly nutty flavor and fluffy texture make it a favored ingredient in diverse culinary traditions.
Where Can I Buy Millet?
Millet can be conveniently purchased online from various retailers. Amazon, for instance, offers a wide selection of millet in their Grocery & Gourmet Food section (Amazon Millet Section). Here, you can find different varieties of millet, including organic and non-GMO options, catering to diverse dietary preferences and needs.
In addition to online stores, millet is often available in local grocery stores, typically in the grains or health food aisle. Stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and even some larger supermarket chains are likely to stock millet. For those interested in organic products, specialty health food stores or local farmers’ markets might offer organic millet varieties.
Can I Cook Millet In The Rice Cooker?
Yes, you can easily cook millet in a rice cooker. This method is efficient and straightforward, ensuring the millet is cooked evenly without the need for constant monitoring or stirring.
Rice Cooker Millet Ingredients
- 1 cup hulled millet: Pearl or foxtail millet are great choices.
- 1 ½ cups cold water or broth: Using broth adds extra flavor.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Adjust according to taste, especially if your broth is already salted.
How To Cook Millet In A Rice Cooker
- Rinsing the Millet: Begin by placing the millet in a fine mesh strainer, thoroughly rinsing it under cold water for a minimum of 2-3 minutes to remove any bitterness.
- Combining Ingredients in the Rice Cooker: Carefully transfer the rinsed millet into the rice cooker’s cooking pot, followed by precisely measuring and adding 1 ½ cups of cold water or your chosen broth, and then evenly sprinkle ½ teaspoon of salt over the mixture.
- Selecting the Cooking Setting: Locate the ‘White Rice’ cooking setting on your rice cooker and press the button to start the cooking process, which is specifically designed for grains like millet.
- Monitoring Cooking Time: Allow the rice cooker to cook the millet for approximately 20 minutes, during which the appliance will automatically manage the temperature and cooking duration without the need for manual intervention.
- Resting the Millet Post-Cooking: After the cooking cycle concludes, let the millet sit undisturbed inside the rice cooker for about 5 minutes, allowing the grains to settle and fully absorb any residual moisture, thus enhancing their overall texture.
- Fluffing the Cooked Millet: Open the rice cooker after the resting period and use a fork to gently fluff the millet, separating the grains and eliminating any potential clumps to ensure a light, fluffy texture.
- Ready to Serve: The millet is now prepared to be served; initially, it might seem slightly sticky, but as you continue to fluff, it will separate into perfectly cooked grains.
Additional Cooking Tips:
- Importance of Rinsing: It is crucial to rinse the millet thoroughly under cool running water to significantly reduce its natural bitterness.
- Adhering to Liquid Ratios: Maintaining the 1:1.5 ratio of millet to liquid is essential for achieving the perfect consistency, avoiding overly dry or mushy results.
- Optional Soaking of Millet: Some cooks prefer soaking millet to decrease cooking time and reduce phytic acid, but this step is not mandatory for this recipe.
- Preventing Overcooking: To avoid the millet becoming too soft or mushy, adhere strictly to the recommended cooking and resting times.
Recipe Variations
- Herbed Millet Delight: Enhance your millet by adding a mix of fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or dill. Chop the herbs finely and stir them into the cooked millet for a fragrant, herbaceous twist. This variation is perfect for those who love a fresh, garden-like flavor in their meals.
- Millet Pilaf with Vegetables: Transform your millet into a colorful pilaf by adding diced carrots, peas, and bell peppers. Sauté the vegetables in a little olive oil before adding them to the rice cooker with the millet. This not only adds a burst of color but also increases the nutritional value.
- Sweet Coconut Millet: For a sweet twist, cook the millet in coconut milk and add a touch of honey or maple syrup. Once cooked, sprinkle with toasted coconut flakes and sliced almonds. This version is ideal for breakfast or as a sweet side dish.
- Spicy Millet with Beans: Add a kick to your millet by including spices like cumin, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne. Mix in cooked black beans or kidney beans for added protein and fiber. This hearty variation is great for those who enjoy bold, spicy flavors.
- Cheesy Millet Risotto: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and a knob of butter into your cooked millet for a creamy, risotto-like dish. Add sautéed mushrooms and onions for extra flavor and texture. This creamy, comforting dish is a hit for cheese lovers.
- Millet with Dried Fruits and Nuts: Mix in dried fruits like apricots, raisins, or cranberries along with a handful of chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans. This adds a sweet and crunchy dimension to the millet, making it a delightful side dish or a wholesome snack.
What The Water Ratio For Cooking Millet In The Rice Cooker?
The ideal water ratio for cooking millet in a rice cooker is 1 ½ cups of water or broth to 1 cup of millet. This ratio ensures the millet cooks perfectly, resulting in a fluffy and tender texture.
What To Serve With Millet
Serve your Millet with sides like roasted vegetable salad, millet sweet corn fritters, Mediterranean chickpea millet salad, millet skillet cornbread, and springtime stir-fried millet. These sides offer a delightful mix of flavors and textures that perfectly complement the nutty taste of millet.
How To Store Millet
In The Fridge:
Cooked Millet leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days; to store properly, place it in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent any absorption of odors.
In The Freezer:
Millet leftovers can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. Ensure it’s in a freezer-safe container, leaving some space for expansion. Remember to thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating for best results.
How To Reheat Millet
To reheat your Millet on the stovetop, add it to a pan with a small amount of water or broth. Heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s evenly warmed through. This method helps to retain the millet’s moisture and prevents it from drying out.
Check out More Rice Cooker Recipes:
How To Cook Millet In A Rice Cooker
Description
You can easily cook millet in your rice cooker with just 1 cup hulled millet, 1 ½ cups cold water or broth, and ½ teaspoon salt. This Rice cooker Millet recipe will take only 30 minutes, serving 2-3. You can serve your Millet with roasted vegetable salad, millet sweet corn fritters, and Mediterranean chickpea millet salad.
Rice Cooker Millet Ingredients
How To Cook Millet In A Rice Cooker
- Rinsing the Millet: Begin by placing the millet in a fine mesh strainer, thoroughly rinsing it under cold water for a minimum of 2-3 minutes to remove any bitterness.
- Combining Ingredients in the Rice Cooker: Carefully transfer the rinsed millet into the rice cooker’s cooking pot, followed by precisely measuring and adding 1 ½ cups of cold water or your chosen broth, and then evenly sprinkle ½ teaspoon of salt over the mixture.
- Selecting the Cooking Setting: Locate the ‘White Rice’ cooking setting on your rice cooker and press the button to start the cooking process, which is specifically designed for grains like millet.
- Monitoring Cooking Time: Allow the rice cooker to cook the millet for approximately 20 minutes, during which the appliance will automatically manage the temperature and cooking duration without the need for manual intervention.
- Resting the Millet Post-Cooking: After the cooking cycle concludes, let the millet sit undisturbed inside the rice cooker for about 5 minutes, allowing the grains to settle and fully absorb any residual moisture, thus enhancing their overall texture.
- Fluffing the Cooked Millet: Open the rice cooker after the resting period and use a fork to gently fluff the millet, separating the grains and eliminating any potential clumps to ensure a light, fluffy texture.
- Ready to Serve: The millet is now prepared to be served; initially, it might seem slightly sticky, but as you continue to fluff, it will separate into perfectly cooked grains.
Notes
- Importance of Rinsing: It is crucial to rinse the millet thoroughly under cool running water to significantly reduce its natural bitterness.
Adhering to Liquid Ratios: Maintaining the 1:1.5 ratio of millet to liquid is essential for achieving the perfect consistency, avoiding overly dry or mushy results.
Optional Soaking of Millet: Some cooks prefer soaking millet to decrease cooking time and reduce phytic acid, but this step is not mandatory for this recipe.
Preventing Overcooking: To avoid the millet becoming too soft or mushy, adhere strictly to the recommended cooking and resting times.
