Blogging Marathon# 63 -Journey through the cuisines: Day 3
State: Gujarat
Dish: Chilla
Today is the third day of the Blogging Marathon and the letter for today is C. From the letter C, there were a few options to choose from: Chana, Chickpea flour, Chana Dal, Chaas and Chickoo. From all the options, I decided to go with Chickpea flour and make chillas out of it.
The reason to choose this recipe was simple, these chillas are a common dinner item in Gujarati households. On evenings that there is no plan to make something elaborate or that there is not enough time, these pancakes make their appearance on the dinner tables. These pancakes are generally accompanied by hot Masala Chai. All one needs to make chillas is chickpea flour, spices and vegetables(if desired). I remember the common practice of having these pancakes with slices of well buttered bread.
Such a simple and humble recipe to make, needs a few ingredients and still a fulfilling meal. These pancakes make an awesome breakfast too. Make the batter fresh from besan and spices. I added onion, tomatoes, spinach and cilantro. If you like, adding chopped green chillies is common.
Sometimes, to bring a change to the recipe; I crush the tomatoes and onion in a blender, add that to the chickpea flour and lots of cilantro. This mixture generally helps to make really thin pancakes. I love those as much as I love these thick and filling pancakes with diced vegetables. Read on to see how to make these Vegan Pancakes or Chillas and come back tomorrow for something from the letter D.
Ingredients
Besan/ Chickpea Flour 1 cup
Onion 1 medium
Tomato 1 medium
Spinach ½ cup packed
Cilantro ¼ cup
Red Chilli Powder 2 tsp
Turmeric Powder 1 tsp
Dhania Jeera Powder 1 tsp
Asafoetida a pinch
Salt 1 tsp
Oil
Method
Dice onion, tomato and finely chop spinach and cilantro. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, sieve chickpea flour, salt, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, asafoetida. Mix it all well. Add water to make a pancake consistency batter. Add the onion, tomatoes, spinach and cilantro. Mix well.
Heat a broad pan or tawa. Add a teaspoon of oil and pour a spoonful of the batter on it. Move the pan around and spread the batter evenly.
Let it cook for a couple of minutes, turn it over and cook on medium flame for another couple of minutes. Once cooked, remove from pan and serve warm with green cilantro chutney and tomato ketchup. These pancakes taste amazing with buttered bread and masala chai.
Let us check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 63
cookingwithsapana says
Chilka is my all time favorite breakfast.Whenever I feel like confused for breakfast I always make chilla.Yours looks delicious and filling.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Lovely clicks Smruthi and tempting recipe. Wonderful breakfast recipe 🙂
MySpicyKitchen says
Chilla looks just like an omelet. Beautiful pictures and a delicious chilla.
Kalyani says
Loved ur setup Smruti, esp the click with the skillet too ! We love this altho I often forget to make this !!
Suma Gandlur says
This makes a nutritious and quick meal, any time of the day.
Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My Kitchen says
quick and easy recipe. beautifully presented.
Unknown says
simple recipe but this chillas goes very well with dinner tome and even for breakfast. nice choice.......
vaishali sabnani says
Yes i am aware of the Gujrati dinner customs , they prefer a snack and madala chai or chaas . The chillas look great and i like the option of grinding onion and tomato . Will try it next time .
Srividhya says
Chilla and puda are in my todo list. Need to try them soon. Yummy and beautiful.
Unknown says
This sounds incredible - I'm definitely going to have to go out and find myself some chickpea flour, as this may become one of my newest go-to dinner (and lunch and breakfast) meals!
Pavani says
Absolutely delicious looking chilas Smruthi. Love your clicks -- so bright and clear.
Srivalli says
Those pictures are absolutely stunning and I love these Cheelas.
Nalini's Kitchen says
Delicious and yummy looking chillas with a wonderful presentation and captures..
Gayathri Kumar says
Love these chillas with the colourful topping.
The Pumpkin Farm says
nice vibrant colors in ur chilla....done beautifully
Priya Suresh says
Rarely seen this much beautiful chillas, love the topping as well, too tempting.
Amara’s cooking says
So colorful Chillas Smruti, addition of spinach is really lovely and sure makes them more delicious:)
Padmajha says
Beautifully presented Smruti. Love the first click. I love cheela and make it once in a while when am out of idli/dosa batter. Will try your version sometime soon.
Harini R says
These chilas are very temptingly presented!
Chef Mireille says
ive made these before and they are great for breakfast
Saraswathi Ganeshan says
Love the colors and the way you presented it! Chilla looks more tempting here.
Unknown says
yay our Indian omelette.... that yellow color is soooo inviting
veena says
What a lovely presentation. Looks awesome
Nisha says
Nice one Smruthi. Wish I could make this often but H does not like it at all.. 🙁