DOUBLE PROTEIN BESAN CHEELAS WITH SWISS CHARD

WISHING YOU ALL VERY HAPPY NAVRATRAS!

I totally disliked besan cheelas as a child, reason being mom used to make tasteless big blobs of cheelas, seemingly uncooked in spots and serve them for breakfast, they used to kill my appetite on the spot....Don't get me wrong, my mom cooks up some superb fare but sadly for some things she completely succeeded in putting them off for life for me.
Until I recreated and re tasted these...
Now first let me explain what cheelas or pooras are, they are thin pancakes or crepe like, primarily made of besan(chickpea flour) to which a variety of seasonings and fillings can be added.In this recipe I have combined the benefit of Bengal gram with chickpea flour crepes and swiss chard plucked fresh from my garden.I suppose this recipe is good for Vegans and all those following the South beach diet and looking for a new recipe.


INGREDIENTS-

• FOR THE PANCAKES
• Chickpea flour(besan)-1/2 cup
• Ginger+garlic paste-1/2 tspGreen chillies chopped-1
• Coriander- few leaves, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Ajwain seeds-1/4 tsp

FOR THE FILLING

• Bengal gram(chana dal)-1/2 cup
• Ginger+garlic paste-1/2 tsp
• Swiss chard-1/2 bunch (substitute with spinach if unavailable)
  
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Turmeric-1/4 tsp
• Garam masala-1/2 tsp

METHOD-

1. Prepare the filling first-Combine half of the swiss chard and the chana dal well as the rest of the ingredients listed under filling.
2. Add about 1/2 cup-3/4 cup water and give 5-6 whistles in the pressure cooker or till Bengal gram is tender, dry up any remaining water by keeping on low flame, keep aside.
3. In a large bowl combine all the ingredients for the cheelas or crepes, add just enough water to make a pancake like consistency.
4. In a nonstick pan smear very little oil and spread out the batter like dosas, cook till brown on both sides, make pancakes like this out of all the batter.

TO ASSEMBLE-
Take a cheela and spread out the chana dal mixture on it, layer with some more fresh Swiss chard, roll up, cut and serve with mint chutney and tomato ketchup.Enjoy!

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