Ragi-Ragini: Chronicles from Aji's Kitchen

'This unusual collection of recipes is a moving homage to the author's mother and grandmother, who brought her up on ragi and love. "Tempered" with ovis-earthy verses sung by Maharashtrian women as they go about their daily chores-this book will delight both the reader of recipes and its practitioner.'
- Ira Pande

Ragi, which is known by many names-Nachani, Nagli, Kelvaragu, Mutthari, Coracano, or finger millet-is a much neglected wonder food and an indigenous grain that has been grown and consumed in India's rural areas for centuries. Ragi-Ragini is a collection of ragi recipes-traditional ones, variations of the traditional as well as entirely new innovations. The author believes that ragi has the potential to take a weak and ailing body and lead it towards health, wisdom and self- realisation, and she infuses her recipes with this faith. The recipes are accompanied by a sparkling little tale about a little girl called Ragini, her life with her genius grandmother Aji and fiesty Masi in a small coastal Konkan village, and the transcendental ragi grain. Adorning the narrative and recipes are ovis or verses composed by the renowned Marathi poet Bahinabai which have been sung by generations of women while going about their daily chores, and which talk about the life, work and concerns of women in the region. This unusual little book by Anjali Purohit not only offers simple tips to include ragi in your daily diet, but is also a delight to read!