Ragi Mudde

Ragi mudde, ragi sangati or kali, colloquially simply referred to as either (which means 'lump') or '','' i.e. 'flour'); is a wholesome meal in the state of Karnataka and the Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh. It is mainly popular with the rural folk of Karnataka. In Tamil Nadu, especially in Western Tamil Nadu, it is called ''ragi kali''. is the main food in Kolar, Mandya, Hassan, Mysore, Tumkur districts in Karnataka and Rayalaseema Region in Andhra Pradesh. A similar variation known as Dhindo is also eaten in Northeast India, Nepal and Bhutan.

Preparation

, a storehouse of multi-nutrients, has only two ingredients, the (finger millet) flour and water. A tablespoon of flour is first mixed with water to make a very thin paste and later added to a thick bottomed vessel containing water on a stove top. As this mixture boils and reaches the brim of the vessel, flour is added which forms a mound on top of boiling water. Once the flour is added, it requires immediate mixing (to avoid lumps) with the help of a wooden stick ( kn, ಮುದ್ದೆ ಕೋಲು: / kn, ಹಿಟ್ಟಿನ ದೊಣ್ಣೆ: ), the flour is beaten to a smooth dough-like consistency with no lumps. Then it is allowed to cook on medium-high flame. This hot dough is then rested on low heat before being rounded on a wooden board into tennis-ball-sized balls with wet hands. Thus prepared balls are broken down into smaller balls using fingers and dipped into ''saaru'' ( kn, ಸಾರು)/ ''hesru'' ( kn, ಹೆಸ್ರು), chutney or gojju. is not supposed to be chewed.

, by itself, does not have a strong taste. is traditionally eaten with (made of greens with sprouted grams pulses], meat or vegetables), but can also be eaten with yogurt or buttermilk. The is often flavoured by mixing a dash of spicy, freshly ground green-chilli paste ( kn, ಖಾರ, ), in one's plate according to taste. is a popular combination among the farming communities in Karnataka. is made from the decanted water, which remains after an assortment of pulses are steamed, usually along with a couple of pods of garlic. This water takes up the earthy flavour of the pulses to nicely complement the earthy flavour of the itself. Browned onions, red chillies, and some garlic are browned, and then ground into a paste along with grated coconut. This is added to the water, and the mixture is finally seasoned with oggarane. The steamed pulses themselves are often used to prepare a dry side salad known as ( kn, ಪಲ್ಯ).

There are numerous variations of , which each yield a differently named (usually, eponymous with the major ingredient) . is itself a portmanteau of ( kn, ಬಸ್ತಿರ) ('steamed') and . ( kn, ಉಪ್ಪೆಸ್ರು)/ ( kn, ಉಪ್ಪ್ಸಾರು) is another common accompaniment to . This is often simply a stew comprising steamed horsegram, as well as the water used to steam it, with added salt. Sometimes, hyacinth-beans ( kn, ಅವರೇಕಾಳು ) replace the horsegram. The horsegram version is also known as ( kn, ಹುರಳಿ ಸಾರು).

is rich in the same nutrients that are found in finger millet, namely fibre, calcium, and iron.

Eaten with

is consumed with the famous Karnataka-style upsaaru, bassaaru or (chicken curry) or (sweet and sour dish made of fenugreek and tamarind). In most of southern Karnataka/old Mysore it is eaten almost daily. Many luxury hotels serve on special occasions. In the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, it is eaten with pappu and chatnee. is also a main food in Anantapur district. It is served in almost all hotels in Anantapur district.

See also

* Ragi rotti
* Upsaaru
* Cuisine of Karnataka

Notes

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Karnataka cuisine
Andhra cuisine