Foxtail Crispies

Foxtail Crispies
Foxtail millet, a healthy grain that makes for a good diwali snack in combination with another healthy grain - red rice.

pic:sanjana kodical

Ingredients

Foxtail millet flour - 1 cup

Red or brown rice flour - 1 cup

Besan/Bengal gram flour - 1 cup

Peanuts (roasted and lightly crushed) – 2 tbsp

Chili flakes or red chili powder – 1 tbsp (can add more according to taste)

Coconut powder – 1 tsp

Cumin seeds – 1 tbsp

Sesame seeds – 1 tbsp

Curry leaves (shredded) – 2 tbsp

Hing/asafetida – 1 tsp

Melted butter (hot) – 1 tbsp

Warm water – 1 or 2 cups

Salt to taste

Method

Dry roast the flours for about 4 to 6 minutes on medium heat till they release a good aroma

Turn off the heat and cool it completely

Mix the ingredients

Pour the hot melted butter into the mixture

Mix to form a crumbly mixture

Add lukewarm water little by little to make soft, pliable dough

Make little balls and roll them out on a plastic sheet or wax paper

Cut them in desired shapes

Bake in a preheated oven for 15 to 20 mins or longer till done

Keep an eye to check that it doesn’t get burnt

Health Benefits

Foxtail millet is the oldest of the cultivated millets. It's called Thinai in Tamil, Kangni in Hindi and navane in Kannada. Currently it is mostly grown as bird and cattle feed. But it is becoming popular for human consumption, particularly in the south, as a diabetic food. Besides controlling blood sugar levels, it is also said to lower cholesterol, triglycerides and levels of C-reactive protein. It is also gluten free.

Note: Arterial inflammation can be determined by measuring C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood. Those with highest levels of CRP have more than four times the risk of heart trouble.