Millet is often the main ingredient in bird seed, but is is full of essentials for a balanced diet. Millet is a versatile grain that can be used in a variety of ways like ground into flour and used in baking; making couscous from cracked millet; or simply boiled and enjoyed on salads.

Read below to find out what makes millet our #SuperfoodSunday feature, and try our delicious and simple recipe for Homemade Multigrain Bread – featuring millet two ways!

• It is Heart Healthy
  • Millet is high in Magnesium*, which is a major factor in maintaining healthy heart function.
    • Magnesium can also help reduce the frequency of migraines.
  • It also helps to lower the risk of heart attacks by reducing blood pressure, and can lower cholesterol (just like oats!).
• Develop and Repair Body Tissues
  • Millet is full of phosphorus that is essential in the development of cell structures.
• Lowers the Risk of Type II Diabetes*
  • Magnesium is an important co-factor in hundreds of enzymatic processes in the body, including glucose and insulin production.
  • Millet also has a low glycemic index, meaning that it will not spike your blood sugar. This can also make it a preferable alternative to rice or wheat.
• Full of Vitamins and Nutrients including Iron and Vitamin B6
• Good for Your Gut
  • Millet is high in fibre and is alkaline* so it digests easily. It will also hydrate your colon to keep things moving.
• Good Source of Protein
  • Protein keeps you feeling full for longer.
  • It contains 15% protein, which makes it a suitable meat alternative for vegetarian diets.
• Good for your Mood
  • Millet contains serotonin to help calm you.
• Millet is High in Antioxidants*
• It is Gluten Free

Clean Recipes: Homemade Multigrain Bread

Incorporating millet into your diet is easy – it is a highly nutritious alternative to rice or potatoes, or it can be ground up into flour and used in baking to give all-purpose flour a healthy boost.

Here is an easy recipe for Homemade Multigrain Bread that you can load with as many superfoods as you like. While it takes a few hours to prepare, this bread is simple, delicious and ridiculously healthy. It is the perfect recipe to try on a rainy day. Best of all, you probably have a wide variety of grains and seeds in your pantry, already!

There is no need to be afraid of bread; we all need carbohydrates in our diet. Baking your own bread from scratch is the best way to know what is in it so you can enjoy it without concern.

Bread Ingredients (Yield: 1 Loaf)

• 3/4 cup Homemade Multigrain Flour Mixture*
• 1 1/3 cups Boiling Water
• 2 tbsp Liquid Coconut Oil* or Melted Unsalted Butter or Olive Oil
• 2 tbsp + 2 tsp Honey
• 2 1/4 tsp Active Dry Yeast
• (Optional) 1/2 tsp Bread Improver / Vital Wheat Gluten (to improve the softness of the loaf)
• (Optional) Extra Whole Grains
  • 2 tbsp Whole Flax Seeds
  • 1 tbsp Hulled Millet
  • 1 tbsp Chia Seeds*
  • 1 tbsp Whole Oats
• Roughly 2 1/4 cups Wholegrain Flour (may need more or less depending on kitchen humidity)
• 1/2 tsp Fine Sea Salt
• 1 tbsp Oats, For Topping

1. Start by making your Homemade Multigrain Flour Mixture. In a food processor, combine equal parts of whatever grains you would like to add to your bread. Try the following mix, but feel free to add additional grains, or use what you have available:
   • Flax Seeds
   • Millet
   • Quinoa
   • Buckwheat*
   • Barley
   • Oats
   • Brown Rice (or Rice Flour)
   • Corn (use Corn Flour or Polenta instead)
   • Wheat (use Semolina)
     • Clean Recipe Tip: Make extra Multigrain Flour and store it in your freezer or refrigerator. Mix it with all purpose or wholegrain flour in your regular baking recipes.
2. In a large glass bowl, mix your Homemade Multigrain Flour with boiling water. Stir to combine and let stand 20 minutes until it is just warm.

   

   

3. Mix in the liquid fat (coconut oil, melted butter, or olive oil), then the honey. Stir to combine completely, then add yeast and bread improver (if using). Mix with a spatula and let stand another 10 to 15 minutes for the yeast to activate.
4. Add one cup of flour and knead – you can knead your bread in a stand mixer or by hand. Next, add in your Extra Whole Grains, if you are using any. Continue kneading, adding half a cup of flour at a time. Knead the dough for 10 to 15 minutes, until it is no longer sticking to your fingers.
5. Cover with a damp cloth and let stand 1 hour in a warm place.

   

   

   

   

   

   

6. Sprinkle your risen dough with sea salt and knead for 5 minutes. Cover again and let stand for another hour.
7. Grease your loaf pan with butter, coconut oil or oil. Roll dough into a loaf shape and place into greased pan. If you like, lightly press oats onto the top. Let rise 1 hour before baking.

   

   

8. Bake your bread in a pre-heated 375 F oven for 28 – 32 minutes. Your bread will be golden brown and slightly hollow sounding when tapped.
9. Remove loaf from pan and cool on a rack.

   

   

10. 

    Enjoy your bread warm from the oven (the best way!) with a little butter, or enjoy it throughout the week. Bread keeps well in the freezer, so you can also freeze a loaf to have another time. Homemade bread is also a great gift for friends and family (no need to tell them how healthy it is before they taste it!)