High-Protein Moong Dal Cheela with Paneer Filling

High Protein Moong Dal Cheela with Stuffed Paneer Recipe

This delicious and nutritious High Protein Moong Dal Cheela with Stuffed Paneer recipe makes a fantastic appetizer, breakfast, or lunch option, especially for kids’ school lunch boxes. Rich in proteins and essential vitamins, this cheela combines the goodness of yellow moong dal and paneer (homemade cottage cheese), making it an ideal snack or meal for both adults and children. The golden, crispy exterior, filled with flavorful paneer stuffing, is sure to delight your taste buds and leave you craving for more. This North Indian breakfast recipe is not only healthy but also super easy to prepare!

Ingredients for the Batter

Ingredients for the Paneer Filling

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4-5

Instructions

1. Soak the Dal: Begin by soaking the yellow moong dal and white urad dal together for at least 6 hours or overnight. This step is crucial to ensure the dals blend smoothly into a fine batter.

2. Prepare the Batter: Drain the soaked dals and grind them into a smooth batter, adding just enough water to achieve the desired consistency. The batter should be similar to that of pancake batter – thick but pourable. Add finely chopped ginger and green chilies to the batter for a punch of flavor.

3. Make the Paneer Filling: While the batter is resting, prepare the filling. In a mixing bowl, combine the grated paneer (homemade cottage cheese), finely chopped onions, tomatoes, green chili, chaat masala powder, salt, and chopped coriander leaves. Mix well to form a flavorful stuffing. Set the mixture aside for use later.

4. Cook the Cheela: Heat a non-stick skillet or tawa over medium heat. Once hot, pour a ladleful of the prepared moong dal batter onto the skillet, spreading it out into a round shape of approximately 6 inches in diameter. Drizzle a little oil or ghee around the edges of the batter to help it crisp up.

5. Flip the Cheela: Allow the cheela to cook on medium heat. After a couple of minutes, you will notice brown spots forming on the surface. Once the cheela becomes crisp and golden brown on the underside, flip it over and cook for another minute until both sides are evenly cooked and crispy.

6. Assemble the Stuffed Cheela: Once cooked, remove the cheela from the skillet and place it on a clean plate, keeping the cooked side down. Spoon a generous amount of the paneer filling along the center of the cheela. Gently fold the cheela lengthwise, encasing the paneer mixture inside. Press lightly to ensure the filling stays intact.

7. Serve: Cut the stuffed cheela diagonally into two or three pieces. Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of chaat masala on top for extra flavor. Serve the Moong Dal Cheela immediately with tangy tomato onion chutney or your favorite dip for a complete meal. These cheelas also make for an excellent snack in your kids’ lunch boxes.

Tips & Variations:

• Customization: Feel free to experiment with the filling by adding sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or spinach for extra nutrition.
• Crispier Cheelas: For extra crispy cheelas, cook them on low heat for a longer time until both sides turn golden brown.
• Vegan Option: Replace paneer with tofu for a dairy-free version of this recipe.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

This High Protein Moong Dal Cheela with Stuffed Paneer is the perfect dish to energize your day while providing all the essential nutrients your body needs. Enjoy it for breakfast, as a healthy snack, or pack it for lunch to satisfy your hunger with a tasty and wholesome meal!