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Varagarisi sadham / Varagu sadham / Kodo millet rice

Written by: 7aumsuvai
Today I want to share a nutrition packed millet. There are several millets and it become very hard for me to find its right name in Tamil and English. Millets such as Jowar (Cholam in Tamil), Pearl millet (kambu), Finger millet (kezhvaragu), Kodo millet (varagu), Foxtail millet (Tinai), Proso millet (panivaragu), Barnyard millet (kudraivali) and Little millet (samai). All these millets are having great nutritional values. These are forgotten over the years and finding them in even in rural areas is very difficult these days. During my recent visit I saw my mom was preserving varagu (Kodo millet) at home. When I saw it I asked her to pack a small quantity for me to give a try. Thanks to THE HINDU daily for the millet names.
I am using Quinoa since last few years but I was little confused with Quinoa and these millets. There are several blogs referring Quinoa and Varagu(Kodo millet) are same. So I took a pack of Quinoa to India during my trip to compare and confirm with people at my place that these two are different. You can too see the difference in the picture.
We can simply replace rice with these millets if they are available easy in the market. You don’t find any significant taste difference with regular rice. I bet you will fall in love if you get a chance to taste this Varagu. We can prepare many variety rice using this varagu. Soon I will post few recipes using this varagu. Here is the recipe which helps you to cook simple white rice using varagu with perfect texture.
Varagarisi sadham
Ingredients:
      • 1 cup – Varagarisi / Varagu / Kodo millet
      • 2 cups – Water
      • Salt as needed
Varagu collage
Varagarisi sadham process
Preparation method:
  1. Wash and pressure cook varagu rice with 2 cups of water and required salt for upto 3 whistles. Keep flame over medium flame because varagu rice takes very less time to cook.
  2. Tasty and healthy varagu arisi sadham is ready. Serve with dhal, rasam and vadagam.
Varagarisi sadham
Notes:
  • Varagu arisi takes very less time to cook. So strictly follow 3 whistles.
  • Though varagu rice has lots of nutritional values but it also induce body heat. So take it in less frequency especially during summer.
  • We had varagarisi with dhal and ghee. The combo was perfect and tasted awesome.
Varagarisi sadham

25 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 30, 2013 at 11:08 PM

    Healthy rice...

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  2. great-secret-of-lifeApril 30, 2013 at 11:35 PM

    healthy dish loving it

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  3. divyagcpMay 1, 2013 at 1:02 AM

    This is new to me. Thanks for sharing this. :)

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  4. Sona - quick picks/pick quicksMay 1, 2013 at 1:17 AM

    this is new to me..gud post , Shanthi . plz feel free to drop by my "pick quicks" blog too..when u get the time. :)

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  5. Aruna ManikandanMay 1, 2013 at 4:57 AM

    sounds healthy , thx. for sharing :)

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  6. Priya AnandakumarMay 1, 2013 at 5:11 AM

    Very healthy and lovely Shanthi, I remeber my aatha(grandmother) doing this...

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  7. Nilu AMay 1, 2013 at 5:23 AM

    Wow! Very healthy dish Shanthi :-)

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  8. meenaMay 1, 2013 at 9:31 AM

    wonderful platter,very useful post,thanks for all the information.Will try searching for them.

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  9. divyaMay 1, 2013 at 9:33 AM

    looks scrumptiously tasty dear

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  10. UnknownMay 1, 2013 at 10:54 AM

    my dad's fav dish...looks great

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  11. Menaga SathiaMay 1, 2013 at 3:35 PM

    Hi Shanthi thx u for visiting my space..u have a wonderful collection of recipes..glad to follow u!!...such a healthy rice,thxs for sharing!!

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  12. LaavanyaMay 1, 2013 at 3:49 PM

    I too tried varagarisi for the first time during my last India trip and loved it... Use it to make pongal, Bisi bele baath and curd rice... so yummy and nutritious too.
    Beautiful pictures.

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  13. Priya SureshMay 1, 2013 at 3:53 PM

    Wat a healthy rice na, my grandma prepare murukku with this varagarisi.

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  14. இமா க்றிஸ்May 1, 2013 at 10:28 PM

    ஓஹோ! இதுதான் புல்வேளூர்ப் பூதன் ஔவையாருக்குக் கொடுத்த வரகரிசிச்சோறா! ;)
    சின்னதில் படித்த ஔவையார் பாடல் நினைவுக்கு வருகிறது. Really interesting Shanthi. Have never seen varahu.

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  15. AnonymousMay 3, 2013 at 3:51 PM

    All these grains are grass seeds, apparently. Rice gained more popularity over the others and we are consuming the milled rice without much nutrition. Varagu is so healthy and it is good that you have reintroduced it. I am sure it tastes delicious! Should look for it in health stores!

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  16. UnknownMay 20, 2013 at 12:55 PM

    We are familiar with these millets and any one can call 9840515767 to Bio organic chennai to get these millers.


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  17. vijiJuly 30, 2013 at 6:28 AM

    thanks for the recipe. Whether any other dishes present with thus nukket?

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  18. sreenivsdNovember 20, 2013 at 1:07 AM

    i am searching for varagarasi in hyderabad can anyone guide me please whats it called in hindi or telugu?

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    Replies
    1. UnknownDecember 5, 2013 at 3:16 AM

      YOU CAN NAME IT . AS "VARAGU BEEYAM" OR "VARAGU CHAAVAL".
      IN CHENNAI GOVT. CO OP SUPER MARKETS LIKE "KAMADHENU" YOU CAN GET IN 1/2 KG PACK @ RS.35/- PER PACK. THIS VARAGU ARISI AND SAAMAI ARISI BOTH ARE SAME LOOK BUT SAAMAI RISE IS LOOK LITTLE MORE BROWNISH. THESE ARE CULTIVATING BY THE TRIBES OF JAVVADHU MALAI, IN THIRUVANNAMALAI DIST. TN.

      Delete
  19. UnknownDecember 5, 2013 at 3:08 AM

    Indra Sister
    I got this in 1/2 kgs pack @ rs.35/- in chennai kamadhenu co-op super markets. If anybody of your fiiend in Thiruvannamnalai you can get more. Because this is cultivated in Javvaddhu Malai, Thiruvannamalai Dist TN., by the tribes.

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  20. Mrs AnnamDecember 19, 2013 at 9:40 PM

    Very Nice Informative and useful information,
    http://www.annamsrecipes.com

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  21. Mrs AnnamDecember 19, 2013 at 9:41 PM

    Very Nice and useful information, I would like to know about Varagarisis recipes and your site has helped me thanks
    http://annamsrecipes.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. KosalramMarch 11, 2014 at 1:29 AM

    Hi Friends...
    I am selling Varagu Rice @ 65 rupees per kg in chennai, Maduravoyal. I have total of 100 kgs in total. You can get it for wholesale as well as retail in 1 kg packs.
    contact me in 99414 35970.

    thanks,
    C.S.M.KOSALRAM

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  23. KosalramMarch 11, 2014 at 1:32 AM

    Dear Friends,
    I am selling Varagu rice for Rs 65 per kg in Chennai, Maduravoyal.
    kindly contact me if you need this rice. I am selling for whole sale as well as retail.

    contact C.S.M.Kosalram mobile# 99414 35970

    ReplyDelete
  24. UnknownApril 9, 2015 at 9:59 AM

    Quinoa is available in India. Shop online for quinoa at www.saiwholefoods.com

    ReplyDelete

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