Besan Cheela stuffed with Paneer Bhurji
If you are from the South of Vindhyas, cheela / chila is not a much heard of term. It is a staple North Indian breakfast dish. To put it in simple terms, it is like an instant dosa made using besan. However unlike adai, which is a lentil based dosa preparation, cheelas are much thinner and crepe lik
Ingredients
For Cheela batter
- 3/4 cup besan (chickpea flour)
- 2 tbsps yogurt
- 1 tbsp coriander finely chopped
- 1/4 tsp salt
- pinch turmeric powder
- pinch asafoetida powder (optional)
- 1/2 cup water (plus 2 tbsps extra if you need it)
For Paneer Bhurji
- 1/2 cup paneer crumbled
- 1 green chilli
- 2 tbsps bell peppers finely chopped
- 2 tbsps onions finely chopped
- to taste salt
- 1 tbsp coriander finely chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the besan, yogurt, coriander, salt, turmeric, asafoetida and add water gradually with constant whisking to make a smooth batter. It should be a smooth pouring consistency. Cover and keep aside for 15 minutes.
- In a pan, heat the oil. Add the minced green chilli, bell peppers and onions with a pinch of salt. Allow to cook on low-medium flame until onions have softened. Add the crumbled paneer, coriander and toss well.
- Allow this to cook on medium heat for a few seconds.Remove into a bowl. Keep aside.
- To make cheelas, heat a non stick tava or pan. Grease pan with kitchen paper.
- Using 1/4 cup batter per chila, pour it in the center and quickly making concentric circles spread it out into a circle, going as thin as possible. Drizzle 1/2 tsp oil around the chila. In 20-30 seconds, flip it over and cook other side similarly.
- You want to flip them as soon as they are lightly golden and cooked and NOT crisp, otherwise you cannot fold it over the filling without breaking/tearing.
- Place the ready chilas on a plate. Place the filling in one quarter of the chila and fold over in half twice, as shown in the photos.
- Serve with green chutney or as it is.
Notes
VEGAN GLUTEN-FREE OPTION.
This recipe is naturally gluten-free. To make it vegan, omit the yogurt and add extra water to make the batter. You could fill it with vegetables or a tofu crumble with vegetables.