Besan Chilla | Vegetarian Omelette | Protein-rich, Easy & Instant Breakfast Recipe | 10 minutes to make

Besan Chilla is a savoury pancake prepared with chickpea flour as the base. Besan means 'Chickpea flour' and Chilla means 'Pancake'. This easy savoury pancake is what we hail from the North Indian cuisine. The only flour we used in the recipe is the Protein-packed Chickpea or Besan flour.

Besan flour is a bit heavy on the tummy and hence, Ajwain or Carom seeds should be added to the chilla batter which aids in digestion and gives a lovable popping at bites. Red chilli flakes are usually not included in this recipe but I love to add them as they give a fiery spice burst on bites. Dried fenugreek leaves or what we call Kasoori Methi is also not included in the recipe. But they add a hint of nutty flavour which I dare not skip to add in my chilla.

What's wrong in making the healthy recipe more flavoursome? So, the best-picked ingredients are put into a bowl to get this flavourful Besan Chilla. The flavour of the cooked besan would be just amazing that waters our mouth with no doubt.

Special Features of the Besan Chilla:

• Gluten-free & vegan recipe.
• Protein-packed Instant recipe that takes just 10 minutes to prepare.
• Any veggies could be added to make it more nutritious.

What Veggies could be added?

• I love to add onions, tomatoes, carrots, beans, cabbage, capsicum and spinach to my besan chilla.
• All the veggies I mentioned pairs well with the besan chilla. But make sure you chop the veggies very finely or grate the veggies to better bind with the batter.
• You could add some beets which turn the beautiful yellow to a lovely pink.
• The cooked corn kernels could also be added which gives a sweet pop at bites which are lovely to eat.

Why it is called as Vegetarian Omelette?

• Since the besan chilla resembles an egg omelette look wise, and loads of vegetables could be added into the bowl of besan chilla batter, it has gotten its name as Vegetarian Omelette.

Could Besan Chilla batter be refrigerated?

• Yes, It could be refrigerated.
• But, add the veggies just before you prepare the chillas. Because the onions and other veggies like cabbage could make the batter watery and they could change the taste as well.

The easy and Instant recipe which could even be done by the beginners is what I'm posting today. From toddlers to adults, everybody would fall in love with these flavourful savoury pancakes. Just load your batter with veggies and make your chilla nutrient-packed.

Many dips go well with this chilla which includes coconut chutney, coriander chutney, garlic chutney and even tomato ketchup. My kid used to have this chilla plain without any dips. So, ask your taste palate and choose the dip 😉

⏲ Preparation Time: 10 minutes
⏲ Cooking Time: 1 minute per chilla
🍴 Yields: 7 to 8 Besan Chilla

Besan Chilla | Vegetarian Omelette

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A protein-rich, flavourful savoury pancake prepared instantly with the chickpea flour and other carefully-picked bowls of veggies and spices.

What to Use? [1 cup = 120 ml]

• Chickpea flour / Besan flour - 1 cup (tightly packed)
• Ajwain seeds / Carom seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Red chilli flakes - 1/4 tsp (optional)
• Dried fenugreek leaves / Kasoori Methi - 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Salt - 1/2 tsp (or adjust to taste)
• Ginger - 1 tsp (grated or finely chopped)
• Green chilli - 1 (finely chopped)
• Curry leaves - 1 tbsp (a sprig - finely chopped)
• Onion - 1 (finely chopped)
• Tomato - 1 (finely chopped)
• Carrot - 2 (grated)
• Coriander leaves - a few (finely chopped)(optional) 
• Water - 1 cup 

Steps Involved: 

• Take besan flour in a mixing bowl.
• Add in ajwain seeds, red chilli flakes, Kasoori methi, turmeric powder, salt, ginger, green chilly, curry leaves and coriander leaves.
• Now add Onions, tomatoes and other veggies.
• Mix all the ingredients with a cup of water to form the batter which should be of pouring consistency.
• Pour and spread chilla batter over the iron skillet or non-stick Tawa. 
• Pour some oil over the chilla and cook for a minute.
• Flip the chilla and cook the other side for a minute.
• Serve the hot flavourful besan chilla with any side dip.

Visual Treat: 

 Video link for "Besan Chilla | Vegetarian Omelette" post: 

https://youtu.be/hbTAoSGg0PM

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For comforting the easy understandability of the recipe, the step by step, detailed procedure along with the picture is shown below:

Step-by-Step Procedure with Pictures

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How to Make?

• Take chickpea or besan flour in a mixing bowl. As I tightly pack the besan flour, it measures about 150 gm approximately. Freshly ground besan flour elevates the flavour profile of the recipe.

• Add in the ajwain seeds or carom seeds. These seeds aid in digestion and they should be added as besan flour is a bit heavy on the tummy.

• Add in the red chilli flakes. I love to add red chilli flakes as the flakes would give a fiery spice burst on bites. They also add an inviting look to the chilla.

• Add in the dried fenugreek leaves. The nutty taste of the Kasoori methi marries well with the besan, and so, I suggest adding it for the best tasting besan chilla.

• Add the turmeric powder which highlights the beautiful yellow colour of the chilla. It adds medicinal goodness as well.

• Season the mixture with the needed salt.

• Add some finely chopped or grated ginger to the chilla.

• Add the finely chopped green chillies that give perfect heat to the recipe.

• Add some finely chopped curry leaves. I love to add curry leaves in all the curries I make as the flavour from these leaves just bring the recipe to the next level.

• Add finely chopped big onion.

• Chop the tomato and add it to the mixing bowl. They add tanginess as well as the tits and bits of red colour all over the chilla.

• Add grated carrots and other veggies (if adding) to the besan chilla. As I have unattended carrots in the refrigerator, I add them.

• Chop some fresh coriander leaves and add them to the besan chilla batter.

• Pour a cup of water to the mixture. If you want a thin pancake, you could add a little more water. But add a little water at a time.

• Mix well with a whisk or spatula. Make sure there are no lumps in the chilla batter.

• The colourful besan chilla batter is now ready!

• Now, take an iron skillet or a non-stick pan and pour some batter over it. Spread the batter gently to form a circle chilla.

• Sprinkle some gingelly oil over the chilla and cook for a minute.

• Once the sides of the chilla leave the pan, flip over and cook the other side for a minute.

• See, the colourful, flavourful besan chillas are ready to be plated. The flavour of the cooked besan chilla would be mouth-watering which could be paired with any side dips of your choice.

Visual Treat! Video for "Besan Chilla" recipe:

Tips:

• If the batter is too thick, add a little more water to make a thin savoury pancake.
• In addition to the ajwain seeds, hing or asafoetida could be added if you make for toddlers.
• Add any easily-cookable veggies or greens of your choice. But, grate the veggies or finely chop them before adding.

Colourful, Flavourful, Protein-Packed Savoury Pancake!

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