Ragi Biscuits...Arabic Coffee

Ragi Biscuits

I had always wanted to try making these biscuits; especially for the health benefits of the grain. I am not exactly a fan of the grain and consume it only when I have the traditional mangalorean pudding, a childhood favourite. I enjoyed the crunchiness of the biscuit. I have tried a sweet as well as a salted version. Both are yummy.

And what do I do with a stock of green coffee beans that have been gifted to me. One obvious option was to powder it and make green coffee similar to green tea. I have been using green coffee for about three years now. I wanted a more exciting option and stumbled upon the Arabic coffee. It's simple to make and goes down well like green tea. The cardamom and saffron add to its taste. But the best part for me; as always, is its health benefits. It's loaded with antioxidants and has a refreshing taste.       

Ingredients

1/2 cup Ragi Flour

1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour

1/4 cup Butter   (frozen)

1/2 cup jaggery powder (for salted version replace jaggery with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp oregano (optional)

1 tsp Baking powder

2 tablespoons Milk (to knead the dough)

Method

Firstly roast the ragi flour on medium low flame for few minutes

Cool

Add whole wheat flour to it

Also add baking powder and mix gently

Cut butter into cubes and add to the flour mix

Mix the flour with the butter with your fingertips till you get a coarse mixture

Add jaggery powder and mix

Add milk 1 tbsp at a time and bring the mixture together like dough

Cover it with a cling wrap and refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes

Roll out the dough; not very thin or thick

Cut it into desired shapes

Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degree C for 10 to 12 minutes in the middle rack till it becomes slight brown n colour. The biscuits will be slightly soft initially
Let them cool in the oven till they become crisp 

 

Arabic Coffee..Qahwa

Ingredients

Green coffee beans – 1 tbsp (lightly roasted and coarsely ground)

Cardamom Seeds – 1 tsp ( crushed)

Water - 2.5 cups

Saffron strands - 3 strands

Method

Boil water in a saucepan

Add ground coffee

Brew for 10 minutes

Add cloves and crushed cardamom

Stir once and boil for another 4 to 5 minutes

Switch off the flame, cover and let coffee grounds settle at the bottom for a minute

Strain and pour the steaming coffee into a mug

Add saffron and rose water

Health Benefits 

Ragi

Gluten-free

Fights anaemia. Rich in iron which helps to produce haemoglobin in the body

Good for skin. Contains antioxidants which help to fight infections and add glow to the skin

Makes bones strong. Contains good amount of calcium

Helps weight loss. Contains fibre

Green Coffee

Rich in antioxidants

Contains Chlorogenic Acid that can increase the metabolic rate

Can control unnecessary food cravings and stop us from overeating

Lowers high sugar levels in blood and can result in controlling Type 2 Diabetes

Natural detox that cleanses the liver; making it free from toxins, bad cholesterols, unnecessary fats and so on

Maintains healthy skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles