Niger seeds, also known as ramtil or kali gurg, are small, black seeds that come from the Niger plant, which is native to Ethiopia. The seeds are highly nutritious and are a good source of protein, fat, and minerals.
Niger seeds can be added to a variety of dishes to enhance flavor and nutrition, such as breads, porridges, curries, stews, soups, salads, poultry feed, and as oil for cooking and personal care. They can also be roasted and eaten as a snack or added to baked goods, sauces and dressings, as its nutty and slightly sweet flavor complements a wide range of savory and sweet dishes.
The versatility of niger seeds make them a great ingredient to have in your pantry to use in a variety of dishes. However as you will also see below, some preparation is required beforehand.
How to prepare niger seeds for use in cooking
To prepare niger seeds for cooking, follow these steps:
- Clean the seeds: Start by cleaning the niger seeds to remove any dirt or debris. You can do this by placing the seeds in a fine mesh strainer and rinsing them under cold water.
- Dry the seeds: Spread the cleaned seeds out on a clean towel or paper towel and let them dry completely.
- Grind the seeds: Once the seeds are dry, you can grind them into a powder using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder. Using an electric grinder will yield quicker and more consistent results.
- Store the powder: Keep the powder in airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
Note: Niger seeds have a high oil content, so it can become rancid if not stored properly. You can also store whole seeds for long term storage but ensure it’s an airtight container in a cool and dark environment.
Popular type dishes to add niger seeds to
Niger seeds can be added to a variety of dishes to enhance flavor and nutrition. Some examples include:
- Breads: You can add niger seed powder to bread dough to give it a nutty flavor and added nutrition.
- Porridges: A traditional Ethiopian porridge called “injera” is made by fermenting a mixture of niger seeds and other grains.
- Curries: You can add niger seed powder to curries to give them a nutty flavor and added nutrition.
- Stews and soups: You can add niger seed powder to stews and soups to give them a nutty flavor and added nutrition.
- Salads: Fried or roasted niger seeds can be added to salads as a flavorful and nutritious topping.
- Roasted as a snack: To eat niger seeds as a snack, you can dry roast them in a pan until they start to pop, then season with salt or other spices as you desire. Be aware that Niger seeds are small and can be difficult to chew, it may not be the best option for people with dental issues. They are also high in oil so over consumption may lead to weight gain.
- Baked goods: You can add niger seed powder to muffins, cakes, cookies, and other baked goods for added flavor and nutrition.
- Sauces and dressings: You can add niger seed powder to dressings and sauces to give them a nutty flavor and added nutrition.
- As a oil: Niger seeds can be pressed to extract oil that is used for cooking, as a oil for skin and hair.
- Poultry feed: Niger seeds are also commonly used as feed for birds and poultry.
These are just a few examples, but niger seeds can be added to many other dishes as well. The nutty and slightly sweet flavor of niger seeds can complement a wide range of savory and sweet dishes.
Summary
Niger seeds can be used in a variety of dishes, including breads, porridges, and curries. They are often used to make a traditional Ethiopian porridge called “injera,” which is made by fermenting a mixture of niger seeds and other grains.
The seeds can also be added to stews, soups and curries to add flavor and nutrition. They can also be fried or roasted and added to salads or as toppings on dishes.
It’s also popularly used as feed for birds and poultry.