Ragi Malt | Ragi Sari | Mixed Grains Powder for Kids | Baby Food Recipes | ರಾಗಿ ಮಾಲ್ಟ್ | ರಾಗಿ ಸರಿ | ಬೇಬಿ ಫುಡ್

ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ. 

Motherhood is always an amazing thing which every woman will cherish. Every mother looks after her child with all the affection and care. Little kids need lot of love and care. When it comes to their food, they need healthy and nutritious food which is tasty and easily digestible. Cooked and mashed fruits, Ragi malt, fresh fruit juice, oats porridge, etc. are some of such foods which are good for children. 

I was thinking of posting some baby food recipes from long time. While preparing different variety of foods for my daughter, it comes to my mind and somehow, I was not able to make it out. Last week, I was preparing the Ragi Sari (Ragi Malt) for my kid. Suddenly, it came to my mind that why not I post this recipe! I just took the camera and clicked couple of photos of the same.
I had started giving this ragi malt to my daughter from her 10th month. Not only kids, this healthy mix is good for elders as well. You can prepare them in large quantity and use upto 4 - 5 months. For little ones, better to prepare this malt powder in small quantities so that you can give them the fresh stock. Ragi Malt powder recipe is as follows:

Preparation Time: 8 - 10 days (that's huge!)

Difficulty level: Medium 

Yield: Approx. 2.5 kg malt mix

Ingredients:

• Finger millet - 1/2 kg
• Kuchchalakki / boiled rice - 1/4 kg
• Whole wheat - 1/4 kg
• Mung bean - 125 gm
• Almonds - 125 gm
• Barley - 125 gm
• Corn kernels - 125 gm
• Ground nuts - 125 gm
• Cloves - 15
• Ondelaga / Centella asiatica - 15 to 20 stalks

Method:

• Wash finger millet, whole wheat and mung beans separately and soak them in water for a day. Then, wash them and drain all the water. Put them on a thin, wet cloth, tie it tightly and keep it in a vessel for a day or two, till you get nice sprouts. Spread them on a cloth or on the plates and put the  under the sun for drying. 
• Wash and clean the boiled rice, almonds, barley, corn kernels and ground nuts and dry them nicely under the sun. Better you keep these grains covered with a thin cloth while drying to ensure they are hygienic.  
• It takes at least 3 - 4 days to get these grains dried completely. 
• Clean the Ondelaga / Centella asiatica including the leaves and roots and dry them nicely.
• Once all the ingredients are ready, roast them separately in a heavy bottom pan on law flame till you get a nice aroma. Roast the cloves for 2 - 3 minutes.
• Mix all the ingredients together once they cool down. Don't forget to put the Ondelaga / Centella asiatica with them!
• Make a fine powder of these ingredients. You can get it done in a flour mill or even do it at home using the mixer grinder. If done in a mixer grinder, you will get a course powder, not very fine. 
• Once the malt powder is cool, transfer it to an air tight container. Take out small quantities of flour in small container for regular use.

How to prepare the Malt drink: Take around 1 1/2 tbsp of malt powder and mix it with 3 tbsp of water. Add 1 or 1 1/2 cup of milk and 1/4th tsp of ghee (optional). Add sugar / jaggery for taste. Bring it to boil and stir it occasionally. When it starts boiling, switch off the flame. Serve the malt once it is cool.

Tips:

• You can add few pods of cardamom while preparing the malt powder to make the drink fragrant. I love adding few strands of saffron as well sometimes. 
• Mung bean and wheat grains can be added without sprouting also. 
• If you can't get the finger millets, can add the readily available finger millet flour instead.