Salads are often associated with leafy greens, piled in a bowl with crunchy ingredients and tossed in a mayo-like dressing or tangy vinaigrette. But in truth, a salad can be made from anything—vegetables, fruits, meat, lentils, or grains, like this one with millet, sweet potato, kale, and lentils. Video on my YouTube channel.
For those who haven’t yet tried millet, it’s definitely worth getting to know. With qualities similar to quinoa—low in fat and high in dietary fibre—it has a mildly sweet, slightly nutty flavour, and is incredibly versatile. My favourite way to cook it is with vegetable stock, which infuses it with a rich, savory taste. Millet can be enjoyed as a substitute for rice or tossed with other ingredients to create a flavorful grain salad.
I absolutely LOVE this hearty millet salad, and you’ll understand why once you GIVE it a TRY. If you enjoy this recipe, you’ll also love my summer millet salad with pomegranate and mung sprouts! Also, you can read more about millets in that post.
In this salad, I’ve combined incredibly nourishing ingredients that work together to boost your health. Each spoonful is not only satisfying but also packed with flavor and texture. The chewy, slightly fluffy millet contrasts beautifully with the creamy roasted sweet potato, while the earthy kale adds a satisfying crispness, and the lentils provide a hearty bite. Together, they create a balanced dish that’s as satisfying to the senses as it is to the body.
Serve up this hearty winter millet salad as a meal or side dish!
P.S. This is an older post that I originally published in 2014 when my in-laws came to live with us. At that time, I had a busy schedule, and I wasn’t able to post as regularly. You’ll notice some comments from readers relating to their own experiences with in-laws, as they shared their thoughts based on what I was going through. In 2023, my father-in-law passed away, but my mother-in-law is still living with us. Life is still strange. She doesn’t meet anyone, and I can’t go anywhere without leaving her behind. My husband knowing that I’m here, is still enjoying time with friends—he’s in Las Vegas right now. This is the reality of an Indian daughter-in-law’s life. Since I’m republishing this post, I’ve decided to leave the original comments as they were. Does any of you relate to this?
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup gluten free whole grain (pearl or proso) millet
- 1 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 2 cups chopped kale (or any greens)
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1 large tomato, chopped
- 1 hot green chili pepper, chopped
- 2 - 3 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 1/2 cup cooked lentil (any that you prefer)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper
- 3 /4 tsp roasted cumin powder
- lemon juice as required
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place diced sweet potato on a parchment-paper lined baking sheet and drizzle 1 tbsp of olive oil. Sprinkle salt and red chili powder or black pepper and toss to coat.
- Arrange them in a single layer. Roast for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender.
- While the sweet potatoes are roasting, heat a pan over medium heat. When it is heated, add millet and toast, stirring frequently, until aromatic about 5 minutes (they will make a popping noise).
- Remove from heat and carefully add the broth (it will splatter a bit). Return to the heat and bring it to boil.
- Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until millet is tender, about 18-20 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit for 5 minutes with the lid on before fluffing with a fork.
- Meanwhile in another saucepan, heat the remaining oil, add in the chopped onion. Sauté.
- Add ginger, tomato, green chili, and kale, cook until wilted and soft (just few minutes). Stir in lentils and the cooked millet. Season with salt, cumin powder, lemon juice and freshly ground black pepper (if needed).
- Just before serving toss in the roasted sweet potato.
- Serve warm as a meal or side dish.
ela@GrayApron
What a comforting salads…like them warm very much. I would dig in those potatoes right away!
ela
Malti Sharma
I can relate to your issue…..I have been there and its really difficult. Indian in-laws unnecessarily increase the workload without offering any help. But that’s smart of you to come up with a healthy and colorful salad while roasting potatoes for your MIL’s FAST.
Balvinder
Actually Malti, I don’t have any issues with my in laws, they are just different and old. I like to keep my house tidy and well organized, and they are opposite. I love cooking different cuisines and they are used to indian food and with no or very less spices. So a lot of my time goes in cooking, cleaning, putting things away or teaching my in laws how things work. It will take time for them to understand and me to get back to my usual routine.
Coffee and Crumpets
I had to laugh at your post, Bal. I’ve been meeting Ansh a lot because her in laws are here too :). I only have a father in law and he lives in Texas, don’t all of you be jealous of me now
I love millet, it tastes like pop corn to me. I have a hard time cooking it here at high altitude and so after pots of crunchy millet, I’ve given it a break till I can figure out how to deal with it.
This looks wonderful, lots of super foods in here!
Ansh
LOL Ok so Nazneen told you my story.. :)) I was about to tell you, I hear you .. hehe. Lovely super foods post.
Balvinder
Thanks a lot Nazneen
Have you tried to cook millet for a longer time or adding salt to water? Salt causes the water to boil at higher temperature which is helpful in cooking at high altitudes. Or try cooking in vegetable broth, I am sure it will work.
Oye Ansh, I didn’t know you live in Colorado. I wish I could fly over and meet you and then we can chat.xx.
Choc Chip Uru
Aww must have been nice seeing your in laws again
Delicious looking salad, glad it isn’t a cold one but full of hearty ingredients!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
yummychunklet
Healthy and tasty looking side dish!
Nava Krishnan
Never met Millet but sure something to consider. Its been beautifully packed with the rest of the ingredients; obviously as the pictures says it all. Thanks for dropping by and I pretty much understand why you’ve been busy. Take care Bal and keep in touch.
Chai a Cup of Life
I hope that you get back into the routine again soon. It is difficult when you are so used to doing the things your way and suddenly everything shifts. I do have to say, I’m loving your recipe. I’m also trying your chick pea salad tomorrow!
Balvinder
You are right. Making a change in your usual routine isn’t easy but it often provides an opportunity to grow in life and test your mettle. Thank you so much Amelia for your appreciation, it means a lot to me
Do tell me how you like the chickpea salad?
Chai a Cup of Life
Chick pea salad went well. thank you! I changed it a tad: I didn’t add Dijon mustard and baked broccoli and some cauliflower before adding. Two thumbs up, my husband took it to work for lunch. Thanks Balvinder
Balvinder
Sounds lovely! Thanks for letting me know. Its always interesting to hear how the recipe works with some changes
Monica
Hi Balvinder! I hope all is well..sounds like you are very busy but glad to see you post this recipe. Millet is one whole grain I haven’t tried and I think people say it’s like corn/popcorn. If it’s like other grains with good chew, I think I’d be a fan. I love warm salads, particularly with grains and vegetables altogether…I’m a huge fan of sweet potatoe and I love to throw some roasted cubes in my salads too. Take care!
Balvinder
That’s right, before adding broth I popped the millet in pan but not as much as we do with corn. Millet is quite tasty, slightly chewier than quinoa. I am sure you’ll love it since you are already familiar with quinoa.
Blackswan
So how did it go with your in-laws? Did you have a difficult time with them around? Hahaha! Just teasing you. Bet you’ve been terribly busy, & so was I.
I’ve to agree the colours are stunning for this dish!
Sridevi Ravi
Millet will be a good addition in my simple salads too. I can totally understand how your work load has increased. As I mentioned, I was in Vancouver in the beginning of this month but I had a tight schedule. I guess, it was good not disturbing you. Will meet you some other time!
Balvinder
Oh no…! Sri we could have met, I live so close to airport and my work is in Vancouver. Next time, send me a PM when you come.
Kitchen Belleicious
so glad you see you back and with a post like this! It looks amazing and i love the roasted sweet potatoes. They are the perfect addition to the warm millet.
vasudha
I recently came across your blog. I simply loved it.Great job.Keep it up. My both the kids are celiac.Just wondering if u have ever tried making gluten free golgappes, mathis which my son misses eating.Would be eagerly awaiting for your reply.
Balvinder
Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment, Vasudha. I have never tried making golgappas but do make mathis once a while.
Jennifer Eloff
I have millet flour. Didn’t know about this!
anne
Bal , I’m sure your in-laws loved this wonderful and delicious salad ! So , who washed the dishes ?!
I’ve made a savoury dish with sweet potato yesterday and that was the first time that I tried cooking it that way .
Juliana
Nice salad…like the roasted sweet potato and the kale in it…looks delicious Balvinder! I have some millet…now know that I can with it.
Hope you are having a great week
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma)
Beautiful!! Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest!
Thank you for linking up! Its because of awesome bloggers like you that our link up is a success!
Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com
Amelia
Hi Balvinder, how you doing? Sorry for not dropping by often, I’m a bit slack in my posting and blogs visit.
This millet look inviting and delicious. Very healthy dish,great for diet meal. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Have a wonderful day ahead,regards.
Marcela
It looks delicious!…and for me it will be the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving!….I love those colors!!……Abrazotes, Marcela
Judee
The millet salad looks beautiful. I have not made millet in years. I’ll have to give it a try. Yes, I can relate. After my father in law died, we took my mother-in -law to Florida with us in the winter so she would not be alone. She did not make any effort to make friends, despite so many opportunities with other French speaking people. She just wanted to be with us and we had to do everything with her. If we wanted to see friends one night a week without her, we would wait till at least 8:00 to go out and eat with her. She would always complain.
Balvinder
I appreciate hearing your experience, it helps to know others can relate.
Tandy (Lavender and Lime)
I am so sorry to hear about your reality with you MIL! I was blessed that mine never came to live with us, or interfered in my life, or our marriage. I have tried to be the same with my step-children. This is the second millet recipe I have seen so a good hint for me to use the stash I have in my pantry
Balvinder
Lucky you!It sounds like you had a great relationship with your MIL.
And yes, definitely give this millet salad a try.