Description

Descriptions

Easy, Light and Comforting Fasting Recipe or Vrat ka Khana from the Maharashtrian Cuisine called Bhagar.

 

 

I am sure you are all gearing up for Navratri Celebrations and doing last minute shopping, buying essentials for pooja etc. Since many of you must be fasting during 9 days, I thought of posting a fasting special recipe from Maharashtra called Bhagar. Bhagar is also known as Samo Rice, Varicha Bhat or Varyache Tandul in Marathi.

 

Bhagar or Varicha Bhat is an Easy to cook recipe, very comforting and filling during Fasting. It can be eaten for breakfast and/or as main meals along with a side of curd. Traditionally, in Maharashtra, it is served with Danyachi Amti, which is made with Peanuts.

 

Varicha Bhat or Varyache Tandul can be consumed for fasting during Ashadi Ekadashi, Navratri, Sankashti Chaturthi, Angarika or regular weekly fasts too.

hagar also known as sama ke chawal or samak ke chawal is a filling and nutritious millet that is served on vrat or Hindu fast. I am sharing with you a quick millet recipe that is gluten-free and a perfect replacement for rice.

What Is Bhagar

Bhagar in english is known as Barnyard millet. In Maharashtra, the barnyard millet is known as Bhagar. This is also known as sama ke chawal, Samak, samvat, vari, varai, variche tandul, vrat ke chawal, mordhan or moriyo. These are a few of the regional names for barnyard millet in different languages.

 

Ways to Cook Bhagar

You can make many barnyard millet recipes not just for fasting but otherwise as well. It is a very nutritious grain that tastes good. I usually make millet pulao, millet khichdi, millet Upma and sweet dishes like kheer, phirni etc. Barnyard millet is a perfect replacement for rice in most of dishes.

 

You can also use Barnard millets in making Idli, dosa, dhokla etc. All of which can be consumed during fasts and are otherwise healthy too.

The millets have a hard cellulosic husk layer that humans cannot digest. The removal of the husk layer becomes the primary task of processing these grains. Once removed, the respective millets’ rice is attained. Small seeds of barnyard millet are processed on groats which are then used for preparation of different types of porridges.

 

Because the barnyard millet tastes almost similar to broken rice when cooked, it is called the “sanwa rice”. It does not cook into separate grains like long grained rice. The millet is tiny, white, round grain, bigger in size than semolina (rawa) and smaller than sago (sabudana).

 

In India, cereal grains are not consumed during fasts which make, barnyard millets a popular ingredient during the fasting days.

 

The barnyard millet is a wholesome grain over and above common cereal grains like rice, wheat, semolina (rawa) and by no means should be restricted to just the fasting days. It holds benefits rendered by millet grains, is easily available across India, is highly economical and makes a tasteful food for all age groups. Varied food preparations can be made in a jiffy with the tiny wonder grain. Barnyard millet is nature’s gift to the modern diet and sedentary activities that can lead to lifestyle disorders.

Top 5 Health Benefits of Barnyard Millet

1. Low in Calories

 

Barnyard millet is a good source of highly digestible protein and at the same time is least caloric dense compared to all other cereals. It is a grain which makes one feel light and energetic after consumption. A serving of barnyard millets (25g, raw) gives 75 calories and 1.5g of protein.

 

2. Rich in Fiber

 

It is an excellent source of dietary fiber with a good amount of both soluble and insoluble fractions. The grain encompasses the highest amount of fiber in comparison to other grains and millets with a serve providing 2.4 grams of fiber. According to a study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology, the dietary fiber content of barnyard millet was high (12.6%) including soluble (4.2%) and insoluble (8.4%) fractions. The high fiber content helps in preventing constipation, excess gas, bloating and cramping.

 

3. Low Glycemic Index

 

The carbohydrate content of barnyard millet is low and slowly digestible, making the barnyard millet a low glycemic index food.

 

The carbohydrates in millet show a high degree of retrogradation of amylase, which facilitate the formation of higher amounts of resistant starch. Hence, it can be potentially recommended for patients with cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. In today’s scenario, this millet becomes one of the ideal foods for diabetics.

A study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology showed that supplementation of barnyard millets among diabetics for a period of one week can reduce blood sugar levels. The barnyard millet improved carbohydrate tolerance among the participants (both diabetic and non-diabetic) by significantly reducing fasting plasma glucose levels.

 

4. Gluten-Free Food

 

Like all millets, the barnyard millet is gluten-free. It is an appropriate food for patients who are intolerant to gluten (those with celiac disease) or looking to follow a gluten free lifestyle which eliminates wheat, barley, rye-based foods. The millet being easily available, quick to cook and good to taste proves to be an ideal wholesome alternative to rice, wheat and other less easily available millets.

 

5. Good Source of Iron

 

According to research on nutrient content on millets, some varieties of barnyard millet have shown to contain high amounts of iron (18.6 mg in 100g of raw millet) which was the richest amongst all millets and cereal grains. Barnyard millet could be a good source of iron for vegetarians.

भगर और वरी (वरी चा तांदुळ) नाम से इसे महाराष्ट्र में जाना जाता है. हिन्दी में इसे मोरधन और समा के चावल कहा जाता है, वहीं बंगाल की ओर ये श्याम या श्यामा चावल के नाम से जाने जाते हैं. समा के चावल को जंगली चावल भी कहा जाता है, क्योंकि यह एक प्रकार की जंगली घास है.

Health Benefits

Barnyard millet used for making Bhagar is a wholesome grain that is low in calories and glycemic index which makes it an ideal food for patients with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. It is easy for the baby to digest Bhagar, thereby reducing bloating, preventing

Here is the answer to your question is bhagar good for weight loss that will define why is bhagar good for you and bhagar calories.

 

Bhagar is known as samo rice or samo seeds that are defined to be a healthy weight loss food by many as many Indians use this dish for doing fast moreover its very tasty and full filling.

 

So in general lets look at some of the health benefits of samo rice that is bhagar and understand why is bhagar good for weight loss.