All these days, I have been watching the news with unspeakable pain and sorrow. The Chennai floods, that swept away precious life, left us all shocked and dazed. If the torrential monsoon rains were not enough, the city’s overflowing reservoirs too added to the mayhem. Coupled with indiscriminate real estate development, with no thought given to civic infrastructure, the people of Chennai are paying a very heavy price for the greed of their leaders.
The terrible times also brought forth unprecedented help from different parts. Normal people turned heroes, and pretend heroes turned zeroes. Homes have been thrown open to complete strangers, people are offering their time and services for free, and heroic tales of survival and rescue are now flooding the social media. It is so heartening to see the generous help that people are offering each other.
While it looks like the rain gods have finally relented, a massive job still lies ahead in the flood-hit areas. Cleaning out the debris, preventing and fighting any water-borne diseases, rebuilding homes,… the task list goes on. In this context, I would like to share a recipe for kanji powder that can be made in bulk and distributed to those affected by the floods. All those want to contribute in some form for Chennai Flood Relief, please do try to make this powder and help those affected. The combination of grains used in this recipe is unique. Designed to be a complete food, 3 tablespoons of the powder dissolved in water or milk (if available), can replace an entire meal. It can be had by people of all ages, toddlers to old people. However, may not be suitable for weaning infants.
In a time when the immunity of a population is at risk, when people do not have access to normal cooking methods, when nutritious food is vital to health, this powder is a God-send. Beats instant noodles or biscuits by several miles in nourishment.
YOU NEED
INGREDIENTS
- 6 kilos Whole wheat (wheat pearls)
- 1.5 kilos parboiled rice
- 1.5 kilos Ragi (finger millet)
- 1.5 kilos Green Chickpeas
- 1.5 kilos Green Mung Beans
- 1.5 kilos Roasted Chana Dal ( Chutney dal)
- 0.5 kilo Soya beans
- 0.5 kilo Peanuts
- 0.5 kilo Jowar grains (sorghum/white millet)
- 100 grams Sago (sabudana)
- 30 grams cardamom
- 10 kilos sugar
METHOD
- Dry roast all ingredients from 1 to 10. Roast individually to a golden brown.
- Do not roast cardamom and sugar.
- Add the cardamom and sugar to the roasted grains. Powder in a flour mill.
- This recipe makes about 25 kilos of kanji powder.
- To make kanji, dissolve 3 tablespoons of the powder in hot water or hot milk. Stir briskly and serve.
Please share this recipe/blog post freely. Please make in bulk for your homes or send to those affected by the floods. Either way, you are doing yourself a good turn.
