Millet Fried Rice.
Okay, I lied. It's more like Millet Fried Rice.
See, it's just like Fried Rice. In fact, it tastes like really good Chinese Takeout . . . but there's no rice. I opted for whole grain millet over rice because millet packs a lot more fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals than rice. It's a much healthier grain choice and you don't have to sacrifice any flavor because millet is delicious.
But I haven't been making this just because it's healthy. I've also been making this because it takes all of 15 minutes from start to finish and the kids really love it. Right now I need quick dishes on the table because I have a 12 week old baby, school started today, ballet and violin kick back up this week, oh and I'm a single parent with 4 kids. 15 minutes sounds pretty good right now.
In fact, sometimes 15 minutes in the kitchen is as good as it gets.
Did I tell you my adorable monkey-of-a-six-year-old broke both bones in her forearm . . . again? Yep, that's right. She broke her arm on the last day of school in May (those darn monkey bars!). It was terrible, but she was brave, I tried to follow suit, and in the end we survived it. She got her itchy sweaty bummer of a cast off just in time to do a little swimming and a little hiking before the summer was over.
A few days ago, she broke the same arm, the same bones, again. Gah! No, double Gah!
Life according to Eila: If breaking your arm on the first day of summer is bad, breaking the same arm for the first day of school is worse. And I agree, it is pretty terrible. But, after spending hours with her in the Emergency Room and more hours with her at the hospital getting that arm put back together, I can say that she's going to be just fine in the end. Eila is brave and resilient and an all around incredible kid. We're just figuring out all this stuff together.
So, broken arms, hours in the ER, the back to school grind, dinner as usual . . . and Millet Fried Rice. It's all part and parcel in this parenting gig. And really, we're pretty lucky, broken bones aside.
A healthy, whole grain version of everyone's favorite Chinese Takeout! As with fried rice, using millet that has been cooked and refrigerated overnight, or at least for a few hours, will work best. Add it to the pan straight from the fridge for best results. 
For tips on preparing your millet for this recipe, check out the Kitchn's directions for Perfect Millet.
Millet Fried Rice
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
You can certainly add cooked chicken, pork, or shrimp if you'd like, but this rice can definitely stand on its own too! Recipe adapted from Mark Bittman
Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says
I love this idea! I'm not on the quinoa train - ever since I was pregnant, bitter is ten times more bitter for me. But millet I love. Can't wait to try this. 🙂
somethewiser@gmail.com says
I like quinoa, but I think I like millet more - it's just so fluffy! Hope you enjoy this as much as we do!
Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life says
We love to make fried rice whenever we have leftover rice in the fridge. I love how simple and quick it is. Millet, though, I have only cooked maybe once before. I'm excited to give it a try and glad I found it just as I'm sitting down to meal plan. Your recipe looks delicious, thanks for sharing!
Oh, and I'm sorry about your poor daughter! What a way to start the school year. My husband broke his arm at the beginning of kindergarten. And then broke his other arm halfway through. He figures he probably would have been left handed if it wasn't for breaking it just as he was learning to write 😉
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thanks Lisa! Millet is a lot like rice, but I like it more than rice. I think the key to incorporating more of the lesser used grains, like millet, is finding recipes for them . . . so, I hope you enjoy this.
I told my daughter what happened to your husband and she felt so bad for him. She kept lamenting, "Poor guy, poor poor guy." Her biggest fear today was that everyone would think she was weird, which didn't happen of course. Turns out, everyone in the first grade just thought a broken arm was cool!
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says
Yummmm! I big into quinoa fried rice, so I'm stoked to see another healthier version. Must try this next!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thanks Nicole. I haven't tried quinoa fried rice - sounds good!
Robin says
Oh, Eila,
I am so sorry that your summer was book-ended with broken bones and casts. Love the new colors you chose for your cast. I can work on making a cast for your Eila-long-leg-doll to match:0)
We are looking forward to seeing you soon! Until then, wrap yourself in bubble wrap.....ok.
love
somethewiser@gmail.com says
I know! I want to keep her in bubble wrap forever and ever and ever now. Looking forward to your return, xx
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
I love to make fried rice, but I've never tried with millet. I have it in my pantry so I’m excited to give it a try! Thanks for sharing!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thanks Olivia. We like this version so much we hardly ever use rice for Fried Rice now - hope you like it!
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says
What a wonderful recipe! I'll make a big batch of this so we can have some for lunch the next day. oxox
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thanks Gwen! I hope you like it!