Chickpea flour or Besan has a high content of fibre as well as protein. It is also gluten-free. It is a staple ingredient in Indian cuisine and can be used instantly to make healthy dishes. Green Besan Chilla, for instance, makes up for a good replacement of wheat rotis. It is satisfying for the taste buds as well as satiating just like rotis. A healthy option to explore, especially for North Indians who are particularly used to having roti in their meals.
Ingredients
For the Chilla batter
- Bengal gram flour/Chickpea flour (Besan): 1 cup
- Coriander leaves pulp/Spinach puree: ¼ cup
- Rock salt to taste
For Chilla stuffing
- Potato: 1-2 cups (steamed)
- Mint: Small bunch
- Dry mango powder: ¼ tsp
- Green chilli: to taste (De-seeded)
- Ginger to taste
- Rock salt to taste
Method
- Add coriander/spinach puree, water and rock salt into half of the chickpea flour to make green batter.
- To the other half part, add water, rock salt and a pinch of turmeric powder to make yellow batter.
- Heat a tawa and pour about half a cup of the batter in the center with a rounded ladle and spread slightly with the bottom of the ladle to get an even looking round, about five inches in diameter. You could try doing it without oil. In that case, simply grease the tawa with an onion half. Else grease the tawa using very little cold-pressed oil.
- Cook on medium heat until the sides dry up and the bottom turns richly golden brown.
- Flip over and cook until the other side turns golden brown.
- Make two chillas - one green colour and another yellow colour
- Steam the potato, peel it and grate it.
- Add finely chopped mint, dry mango powder, rock salt, green chillies, and mix it well.
- On the yellow chilla, spread potato stuffing.
- Put green chilla on top of it and cut into triangle shape
- Serve and enjoy!!
EATING GUIDE
- Food group: Legumes
- Legumes are whole foods rich in fibre and protein. Can be easily combined with other food groups (except fruits)
- Besan chilla is good option as a complete meal in itself or could be paired with your favourite sabzi/soup.
Image courtsey for title pic: www.holycowvegan.net