She Made Me Who I Am Today
Celebrating the Women Who Shaped Us
With Women’s Day coming up, I started thinking about the incredible women in my life who have shaped me and made me the woman I am today. And this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning my mother. Even though I lived far from her for most of my adult life, she was a huge part of it—until she left us seven years ago. Even today, her memories continue to warm me and guide me through daily life.
A Mother’s Strength and Kindness
My mother was a kind woman despite having a tough childhood. She completed her education after marrying my father and worked alongside him to ensure that my three siblings and I led a comfortable life.
And is it just me, or do most of our fondest memories with our mothers involve food? My mother cooked every day for our voracious family of eight before leaving for work! Even her “simplest” meals seemed like treats to us.
A Memorable Meal: Bajra Bhakri with Mixed Vegetable Sabji
One such simple, yet nutritious meal I remember is bajra (pearl millet) bhakri with a mixed vegetable sabji and moong khichadi. She prepared it every Sankranti, and it has recently become a staple in our household because of its nutritional benefits—especially compared to wheat rotis.
Why Millets Matter:
Millets, traditionally eaten in every Indian home, are being forgotten today due to a lack of knowledge about how to cook them. They’re often replaced by far less nutritious wheat. Today, in celebration of my mother’s strength and determination, I want to share her bajra bhakri recipe with you.
Healthy and Easy Bajra Bhakri Recipe
Ingredients:
1.5 katori water
1 katori bajra flour
1 tbsp oil
1 tsp salt
2 tsp sesame seeds
Method:
Boil 1.5 katori of water in a pan, add 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 teaspoon salt.
Add 1 katori of bajra flour, mix well, cover the pan, and let it rest for 10 minutes off the stove.
Make a dough by hand, adding 2 teaspoons of sesame seeds during the process.
Divide the dough into portions and roll them into bhakris.
In Marathi, this process is called ‘ukad dene’, meaning steaming. It softens the otherwise dry bajra flour, making it easier to roll.
Serve your bhakri with mixed vegetables and sesame chutney for a truly wholesome meal!
Celebrating Women Through Healthy Food
At SONKAN, we believe that food should be both tasty and healthy. Our mothers, grandmothers, and aunts knew exactly how to do that. Let’s celebrate these strong women by forging future generations the way the #WomenWhoShapedUs did.
Share the story of the woman who made you the woman you are, along with a healthy millet recipe. Your small gesture will help us create a collection of healthy millet recipes for today’s health-conscious women!
How to Participate:
Tag us on Instagram with your recipe and story.
Sonkan will compile all submissions into a handy ebook, which will be sent to all participants.
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