BESAN CHILLA

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup besan (gram flour) – 100 grams
• ¼ cup finely chopped onions or 1 small onion
• ¼ cup finely chopped tomatoes or 1 small tomato
• ¼ cup chopped coriander leaves (cilantro)
• ½ to ⅔ teaspoon finely chopped green chilies or serrano pepper
• ½ teaspoon finely chopped ginger or ½ inch peeled ginger
• 2 to 3 pinches turmeric powder (ground turmeric)
• ¼ teaspoon red chili powder 
• ½ to ⅔ cup water or add as required
• salt as required
• oil as required

INSTRUCTIONS

Making Chilla Batter

1. Take the gram flour in a mixing bowl.
2. Add the onions, tomatoes, ginger, green chilies ground spices, carom seeds, coriander leaves and salt.
3. First add ½ cup water and with a wired whisk begin to mix.
4. If the batter looks thick, then add 1 to 3 tablespoons more water. Depending on the quality and texture of besan, you can add less or more water.
5. Mix to a smooth flowing consistency in the batter. Break lumps if any while mixing batter.

Cooking Besan Chilla

1. Heat a frying pan or a skillet on a low to medium-low heat. You can use an iron skillet or a non-stick pan. If using iron skillet or tawa, then spread a bit of oil on it.
2. Let the pan become medium hot. Then take a ladle full of the batter and pour on the pan
3. Gently with the back of the ladle, begin to spread the batter.
4. Spread lightly and gently so that the cheela does not break.
5. On a low flame cook the chilla till the top begins to look cooked.
6. Then drizzle ½ to 1 teaspoon oil on the chilla at the edges and all around.
7. Continue to cook till the base gets light golden.
8. Flip and now cook the other side.
9. Cook this side until you see golden spots on the besan chilla.
10. Fold and serve chilla hot or warm. Besan chilla are best had hot. But if you are not able to serve them hot, then place them in a roti basket or casserole. They remain warm and can be served later.