Moong Dal Chilla, also known as Moong Dal Cheela, is a savory Indian pancake made from ground moong dal (split yellow lentils) batter. It is a healthy and nutritious dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack. Here is a recipe for Moong Dal Chilla:
Prep Time: 4 hours (including soaking time)
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ready Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup moong dal (split yellow lentils), soaked for 3-4 hours
- 1 green chili, finely chopped
- 1/2 inch ginger, grated
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- Oil or ghee for cooking
Instructions:
- Drain the soaked moong dal and rinse it with water. Transfer the soaked moong dal to a blender or food processor.
- Add green chili, ginger, cumin seeds, and salt to the blender. Blend the mixture to a smooth batter, adding a little water if required. The batter should be thick yet pourable.
- Transfer the batter to a mixing bowl. Add chopped onion, fresh cilantro, and turmeric powder. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
- Heat a non-stick pan or tawa over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, pour a ladleful of the moong dal batter onto the center of the pan.
- Spread the batter in a circular motion to form a thin pancake-like chilla. Drizzle a little oil or ghee around the edges of the chilla.
- Cook the chilla for a few minutes until the bottom side turns golden brown and crisp. Flip the chilla using a spatula and cook the other side until it is cooked through and crispy.
- Remove the cooked chilla from the pan and place it on a plate. Repeat the process with the remaining batter to make more chillas.
- Serve the Moong Dal Chilla hot with mint chutney, tomato ketchup, or yogurt. You can also stuff the chilla with a filling of your choice, such as paneer or vegetable filling, for added taste and variation.
Note: You can add other finely chopped vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, or grated carrots to the batter for a more nutritious chilla.
This recipe makes approximately 6-8 Moong Dal Chillas. Adjust the quantity of ingredients based on your requirements. Enjoy the delicious and healthy Moong Dal Chilla!