Nachni che Satv Recipe

Nachani Satv is a delicious, traditional and healthy Goan Finger Millet sweet relished as a pudding. Ragi Satv melts in your mouth while nourishing and comforting. This vegan Ragi Pudding is made from ragi extract, coconut milk and jaggery.

Nachani is finger millet (ragi), popular in Goa and the Konkan region of Maharashtra. However, this sweet is also made in Karnataka as Ragi Manne, in Orissa as Mandia Payasa. 

Each of these has its own twist, but beneath the surface is a simple, healthy dessert rich in iron, calcium, and fibre. It helps fight anaemia, strengthens bones, and supports lactation - making it an ideal food for babies and for postpartum diets. 

I included nachni in my diet during my menopause and postoperative recovery after a hysterectomy, and I am grateful it helped me recover faster. You can enjoy satv warm in winter and chilled in summer.

In the winter, try this Kachya Dinka Chi Pud, an edible gum recipe that is healthy and beneficial for strengthening your bones. 

Jump to:

• Nachni che Satv and I
• What does "Satv" mean?
• Why make MSK this Ragi Pudding?
• Ingredients for Nachni Satv
• How to make the Nachni Satv recipe
• Substitutes for Nachni Satv
• Variations of Nachni Satv or Ragi Pudding
• Protips for Nachin Satv
• FAQ's for Nachni Satv
• Related recipes
• Pairing recipes
• Nachni che Satv Recipe

Nachni che Satv and I

I was introduced to Goan Food after marriage and have discovered amazing new tastes, flavours and textures. Most Goan recipes are vegan, and many are gluten-free. 

My mother-in-law offered me the first slice of Nachni Satv that the neighbour had dropped off. I was not very keen, but did not want to hurt her, so I tentatively bit into the slice. 

And the rest was history! Every time, every buffet we looked for this dessert. Strangely, though we both loved Satv, we never made it. I do wonder why?

What does "Satv" mean?

"Satv" essentially means the essence, purity, and balanced. Here, it means the essence of the grains. The grains are soaked, ground and the husk is strained out. 

Why make MSK this Ragi Pudding?

• The traditional method of making Ragi Halwa involves rinsing and soaking the finger millet grains. Then you grind it, extract the Satv (ground endosperm), and discard the seed coat. 
• You grind the coconut to extract coconut milk. 
• While you can follow the traditional method, I have used nachni flour and store-bought coconut milk here. 

Whichever way you follow, you will love this delicious Ragi as it is not only this 

• Vegan
• Gluten-free
• Healthy 
• Made from Whole grain
• A make-ahead dessert
• Can be halved, doubled or tripled easily

Ingredients for Nachni Satv

These are the ingredients you will need. For quantities, please check the recipe card.

• Nachni Flour (also known as finger millet in English) is available in packs at any store. 
• Coconut Milk: I use the store-bought coconut milk in place of freshly grated coconut milk.
• Water: drinking water; you will need to rinse and soak the ragi flour.
• Jaggery: the sweetener for the dessert.  
• Salt: A pinch - I always forget to add it- but this batch I did add some, and the taste is delicious. 
• Ghee: To grease the tray.
• Cashew nut pieces

How to make the Nachni Satv recipe

• The husk or seed coat of nachni (ragi) is considered harmful in Goa. Also, we do not need dark specks in our pudding. So the first step is to get rid of the same. 
• Soak the nachni flour in a tall container and decant the water. Repeat another 2 times.
• Cook the nachni flour, coconut milk, jaggery, salt, and cashew nuts until thick.
• Transfer the thickened pudding to a greased tray. Cool, cut and serve.

Substitutes for Nachni Satv

• I have taken a shortcut and used Nachni flour. In Goa, this is frowned upon; we use whole grain, soak and grind it to extract the endosperm (satv).
  • If you wish, try the traditional method: soak the ragi for 8-12 hours, then grind it. Strain the extracted ragi in a fine muslin cloth. Linking the Satv video for you to view in the recipe card.
  • Repeat the process 2-3 times till all the satv is extracted. Check my video on "How to make Nachni Satv for the method."
• My pack of coconut milk is also considered inappropriate here in Goa; my friends prefer to grate their own coconut to extract their own milk. I appreciate my friend's commitment to the job, but it is not my cup of tea. How to extract the coconut milk from fresh coconut.
  • Add the freshly grated coconut to a mixer jar. For 1 cup of the coconut, add ½ cup of warm water and run the mixer. Strain the coconut milk out using a muslin cloth. This is the first thick extract.
  • Repeat the method 2-3 times using just ¼  cup of water. Strain and extract the coconut milk. This is your thin extract. In this recipe, we use both the thin and the thick extracts. For 1 cup of ragi atta, I will use 1 cup of fresh coconut and all the milk I will extract from it. 
• Jaggery can be replaced with sugar. I have never tried palm jaggery nor tasted the Ragi Kapa with it, so I will not comment.

Variations of Nachni Satv or Ragi Pudding

While Nachni Satv is a traditional dessert, you can use Nachni in other ways. These are variations

• Teezan: the traditional 11 o'clock meal in Goan homes is teezan or tizan. Where the ragi extract is cooked with water, then sweetened with jaggery (or sugar), and served topped with milk. This warm drink is nutritious and healthy, perfect for keeping you going till lunchtime. Here's a quick reference for you: a video. Reach for it instead of your chai or coffee after a tiring day.
• When my child was being weaned, I gave her a beverage of cooked ragi flour with dairy milk, without any sweetener. I gradually added crushed and strained mangoes, boiled carrots, and beetroot to the cooked ragi. She loved them all, especially the one with mangoes.
• In Karnataka, ragi mudde is a staple food enjoyed with leafy vegetables and rasam.
• Have you tried making pancakes with ragi flour? They taste amazingly yummy. 
• Khichu is made with rice flour. I make it with ragi flour, and it is a perfect breakfast for us. 
• Have you tried making instant Ragi idlis? They are delicious and filling, try them!
• Ragi Chakli is my favourite snack. I have found memories where younger Akanksha made them with me. 

Equipment for Nachni Satv

To make ragi satv, you will need

• 1 large and tall container to soak the ragi flour
• Thick-bottomed Wok to cook the pudding
• Spatula to stir
• A tray to set the pudding
• A knife to cut

Storage of Nachni che Satv

• Nachni satv tastes best fresh, and I have never stored it. However, this batch I made was in the fridge for about a week. It was perfect. But next time I will not risk it. 
• If you are storing the Satv store in airtight containers for up to 1 week.

Protips for Nachin Satv

• If using ragi seeds, soak them in enough water for 8-10 hours. Rinse the grains till the water runs clear, then grind the ragi. Strain and use the extract.
• Use a thick-bottomed pan to cook the Satv so that the cooked pudding does not stick to the base and burn.
• Stir continuously and cook on a low flame. We do not want lumps or risk burning the pudding.
• Mix the ragi flour, coconut milk and jaggery. Let the jaggery melt before straining the mixture. This will help remove impurities.
• Grease the plate/ tray well and keep it ready before you start cooking the pudding. 

Difference between ragi and aliv

Generally, I used to confuse Ragi, or finger millet, with aliv, or watercress seeds, so I am posting the images to help others who face similar issues. 

FAQ's for Nachni Satv

Related recipes

Looking for healthy millet recipes? Here are our favourites

Pairing recipes

What do you pair with Satv? Our favourites again are 

Summary: if you need a healthy vegan, gluten-free dessert made with finger millet or ragi, packed with nutrients, high in fibre and nutrients. This delicious dessert can be served warm or chilled, depending on your preference. Try it today, and add another healthy millet dessert to your meal plan.