We grew really fond of these sweet millet balls recipe. Although millet is usually an under-rated grain, it is very important, not to mention nutritious in a gluten-free diet. If people hear millet, they most probably think of side dish, therefore this millet dessert is definitely unique on its own. We love our sweet millet balls with a fruity sauce with a hint of cinnamon. They can be really mouth-watering.
What can you expect?
In a plant-based / vegan diet lot of the recipes substitute millet for cottage cheese when they add lemon juice or any other sour ingredient to make it taste like cottage cheese from cow milk. I tried a couple of recipes, but for me, it was either too lemony or too sweet. Not to mention nowhere near the cottage cheese I remembered. This can also mean I haven’t found the right combination… yet, however as soon as it happens, I will make sure to post it.
Why millet?
Millet* is usually a neglected gluten-free grain especially if it comes to gluten-free desserts. It would not be your first choice to take it from the shelves. But it would be a huge mistake not to try it, if not for a side-dish but for this dessert.
Why should you consider adding millet to your shopping list? For one, it is nutritious. According to Cronometer, 1 cup of cooked millet contains 2 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. It is high in copper and manganese and covers 20% of daily magnesium need. Not too shabby. 🙂 Secondly, it is tasty. These sweet millet balls are light and creamy. The sourness of the berries offsets perfectly the sweetness of the millet balls.
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How to make millet balls?
In this sweet millet recipe, both millet balls and the sauce is very easy to make even if there is a 2,5-year old asking non-stop “When they will be ready?”. The sweet millet balls are literally less then 30 minutes to make, while the sauce is like 5 minutes.
It is super easy as you need only two steps.
Step 1) You cook millet with milk in a saucepan for about 20 minutes.
Step 2) When the millet absorbed most of the milk you can add corn grits, sugar of your choice and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly and leave covered for about 10 minutes.
Now you are ready to make your sweet millet balls. Easy, right? Enjoy!
Sweet Millet Balls with Mixed Berries Sauce
Ingredients
Sweet Millet Balls
- ½ cup Millet 125g
- 2 cup Dairy-free milk (4 times the amount of millet) 4,5dl
- 4 Tbsp Corn grits aka Polenta
- ½ cup Cane sugar 110g
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract optional
Mixed Berries Sauce
- 2 cup Frozen mixed berries 200g
- ½ cup Water
- ½ cup Cane sugar 110g
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp Corn starch
Instructions
Sweet Millet Balls
- Add millet and milk (I used Alpro almond milk) to a saucepan and cook them on small-medium heat undercover for approx. 15-20 minutes until millet absorbs all milk.
- Take the pan off the heat and add corn grits, cane sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly and leave the cover on for approx 10 minutes.
- Wait until chilled enough that you can form the balls. And they are ready!
Mixed berries sauce
- Add frozen berries, water, and cane sugar to a saucepan and cook them on medium heat.
- When sugar dissolved add cinnamon and corn starch and mix thoroughly. It is ready when the mixture slightly thickens. It will thicken more when cooled.
- If you prefer smoother, then use a hand mixer and puree it as much as you like.
Stephanie
Do you have a recommendation for replacing the grits with something corn-free?
My Pure Plants
Hi, do you need it to be gluten-free? Semolina has a very similar texture as cornmeal, but sadly semolina is made of wheat. I haven’t tried it with any other grains though. Let me know when you do.