Bamboo rice porridge or Moongil Arisi Kanji is a traditional dish that is readily consumed in the Wayanad region of Kerala. The porridge is thick and tasty and moreover has multiple health benefits.
WHAT IS BAMBOO RICE?
To know the food, we should first become familiar with its ingredients, which is it is important to understand what Bamboo rice is, before savouring its delicious porridge.
In simple words, bamboo rice is like an underrated movie, highly praised and recommended by some, but not known to many.
Bamboo rice seeds are the bequeathal of a dying bamboo shoot. When a shoot breathes it’s last it flowers into bamboo rice seeds. It is a rare variety of rice which is delicious as well as healthy.
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER VARIETIES OF RICE?
As far as cooking is concerned, it is cooked like any other variety of rice, the difference lies in the texture. When cooked it is mostly moist and silky.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Bamboo rice is rich in various nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins and fibre. It is believed that bamboo rice has a lower glycemic index relative to other varieties of rice, making it ideal to consume for diabetic patients. The rice has low or no fat and is rich in vitamin B. Moreover the rice has immense calcium and phosphorus content, which is the reason why tribes in Kerala use it to cure joint pain.
PREPARATION OF PORRIDGE
1. Soak the rice for 30 minutes.
2. Pressure cook the rice in water for 5 whistles and mash it well.
3. Add coconut milk and sugar (or salt) to it.
4. Allow it to rest
