Jowar is a valued as one of the best atta for weight loss and a wholesome alternative for wheat roti. The wealth of nutrients including protein, dietary fibre, calcium, iron, phosphorus, B vitamins and C helps in regulating blood sugar levels, control appetite, promotes weight loss and boost energy levels.
Jowar is a cereal which abounds in iron. This nutrient is needed to build hemoglobin levels in the body. Its main function is to carry oxygen and nutrients to each and every cell of the body. A deficiency of iron is called anaemia.
These Jowar roti also jowar bhakri or jolada roti are healthy traditional flatbreads made with sorghum flour. While there is a bit of technique required to prepare the recipe just right, it takes only 30 minutes to make with my step-by-step instructions!
Sorghum is a healthy millet that is good in minerals like calcium, potassium, phosphorus and iron. Being rich in antioxidants, its good for the heart too and is diabetic friendly. Jowar is also an excellent gluten free flour.
Jowar roti has a nice soft texture and even on cooling do not become hard or chewy. On my visits to some parts of Maharashtra, we were served jowar roti in a thali with pitla (a thick but moist gram flour paste spiced dish) and green chili thecha (coarse green chili and garlic chutney). It can also be served with zunka (a dry version of pitla).
Usually when you make bajra or jowar roti, you can also make a Maharashtrian based curry to go with it like batata rassa, vangi rassa, mixed sprouts curry, veg Kolhapuri, bharli vangi or usal.
You can make these millet and gluten free rotis season wise. In summers make jowar roti and Ragi roti.
In winter and monsoon make Makki ki roti (maize flour flat bread) and Bajra roti (pearl millet flatbread) and when we fast during some days, make rajgira paratha (amaranth flour flat bread) or kuttu ka paratha (buckwheat flour flat bread).
These rotis are also called as Jolada rotti in Karnataka. These flatbreads are vegan, gluten-free and very healthy.
These jowar bhakri are fairly easy to make if you have the practice. I make them a couple of times in a month.
The jowar roti can be served with any veggie gravy dish. They also taste good with dry chutney like peanut thecha.
