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Bajri ni raab
Pearl millet jaggery drink
Bajri ni raab (બાજરીની રાબ): warming Gujarati winter drink of pearl-millet flour, ghee, jaggery, ajwain and dry ginger
In Gujarati homes from Ahmedabad to the villages of Saurashtra, raab is what is made on a cold January evening, for a cough, or for a new mother regaining her strength: a spoon of bajri flour roasted in ghee with ajwain and dry ginger, then cooked with water and jaggery into a thin, sippable porridge. It is drunk hot from a steel tumbler and tastes of toasted grain, caramel and warm spice. A tumbler is about 220 kcal. The most common mistake is adding jaggery to boiling raab with the flame high, which can make it split; turn the heat down first and stir it in until it melts. Chef's tip: roast the flour on a low flame until it smells like toasted biscuit and darkens just slightly; underroasted bajri tastes raw and bitter.
- Total time
- 18 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp ghee
- ½ tsp ajwain (carom seeds)
- 2 tbsp pearl millet (bajra) flour
- 2 cups water
- 1 oz jaggerygrated
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg (optional)
- 4 almonds (optional)chopped, not for under-5s
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a small heavy pan over a low heat. Add ½ tsp ajwain (carom seeds) and let it sizzle for 10 seconds.
1 minStep 2: Add 2 tbsp pearl millet (bajra) flour and stir constantly for 4–5 minutes, until it smells nutty and turns a shade darker. Keep the heat low so it does not scorch.
5 minStep 3: Stir in ½ tsp dry ginger powder (sonth), then pour in 2 cups water slowly, whisking all the time so no lumps form. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring, until it has thickened slightly and coats the back of a spoon thinly.
5 minStep 4: Turn the heat to its lowest and add 1 oz jaggery. Stir for 1–2 minutes until it has dissolved completely.
2 minStep 5: Pour into cups, sprinkle with 1 pinch ground nutmeg and 4 almonds and drink hot.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 220 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 32 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does bajri ni raab take?
- About 18 minutes in total: 3 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of ghee?
- Butter, same amount (keep the heat a little lower, butter burns sooner).
- What can I use instead of jaggery?
- Dark brown or muscovado sugar, same amount.
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Perfect for:Winter warmers