Whole Wheat Vegetable Chilla (Cheela) Recipe
Description:
The Whole Wheat Vegetable Chilla (Cheela) is a nutritious and flavorful North Indian breakfast dish. This simple and quick recipe blends the goodness of whole wheat flour with a variety of fresh, chopped vegetables. The result is a delicious, savory pancake that’s not only filling but also packed with vitamins and dietary fiber. Made with Vivatta whole wheat flour, which is rich in essential nutrients such as calcium, iron, zinc, and folic acid, this cheela is a perfect healthy start to your day. It’s a great choice for a high-protein, vegetarian breakfast that can be prepared in just 20 minutes.
Cuisine: North Indian
Course: North Indian Breakfast
Diet: High Protein Vegetarian
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Whole Wheat Flour | 1 cup |
| Water | 2 cups |
| Onion (finely chopped) | 1 medium |
| Tomatoes (finely chopped) | 2 medium |
| Green Bell Pepper (Capsicum, finely chopped) | 1 |
| Turmeric powder (Haldi) | 1 teaspoon |
| Cumin seeds (Jeera) | 1 teaspoon |
| Red Chilli powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Fresh Coriander (Dhania) Leaves (finely chopped) | Small bunch |
| Salt | To taste |
| Oil | For frying |
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: Serves 2-3
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Fat: 7g
- Iron: 2mg
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Batter:
Start by making the batter for the cheela. In a mixing bowl, combine the Vivatta whole wheat flour with 2 cups of water. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. The batter should be thicker than a dosa batter, similar to a pancake batter consistency. -
Add Vegetables and Spices:
To the batter, add the finely chopped onions, tomatoes, and green bell pepper (capsicum). Stir in the coriander leaves, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and salt to taste. Mix everything together thoroughly until the vegetables are evenly distributed in the batter. -
Cook the Chilla:
Heat a tava (griddle) over medium heat and grease it with 1 tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is heated, pour one ladle full of the batter onto the tava. Gently spread it into a circular shape using the back of the ladle. If the vegetables tend to accumulate in the center, use your fingertips to spread them out evenly. -
Steam Cook the Chilla:
Cover the tava with a lid and allow the chilla to cook for 3-4 minutes. The steam generated under the lid helps cook the chilla evenly. Keep the heat at medium to ensure it cooks through without burning. -
Fry the Chilla:
Once the top side begins to set, remove the lid and drizzle 1 teaspoon of oil over the edges of the chilla. Let it cook for a few more minutes until the sides and bottom are lightly browned and crispy. -
Flip and Final Cooking:
Carefully flip the chilla to the other side using a spatula. Let it cook for another 2-3 minutes or until the second side is golden brown and crispy. The chilla should have a firm texture on the outside and be soft on the inside. -
Serving:
Once cooked, remove the chilla from the tava and serve hot. It pairs wonderfully with peanut chutney or any chutney of your choice. Enjoy this Whole Wheat Vegetable Chilla (Cheela) as a hearty breakfast, tea-time snack, or light dinner.
Cooking Tips:
- To make the cheela more flavorful, you can add finely chopped spinach or grated carrots to the batter for added nutrition.
- For a more crispy texture, spread the batter thinly on the tava.
- Adjust the amount of chili powder and salt according to your taste preferences.
Enjoy the wholesome, healthy goodness of this Whole Wheat Vegetable Chilla, packed with nutrients and perfect for a satisfying meal at any time of the day!
