Besan ki Childa
Posted by 365DaysVeg on January 23, 2008
Channa Dal powdered to become Besan(Chickpea flour)
Besan ki Childa (Chickpea flour pancakes) is one recipe that relieves me from my everyday thinking “What to cook?”. This dish is healthy as besan is nothing but Chickpea flour or Gram flour as it is called in India. It is mixed with vegetables of your choice & spices and poured like dosa or pancakes onto hot iron pan. So, you see there is no guilt in relishing this simple yet heavenly dish a little more. I call it “The Vegetarian Omelet”
My husband & I love this dish and we can eat anytime of the day be it for breakfast, lunch or dinner; of course served hot, although I do not mind eating it at room temperature. One cannot go wrong with this recipe. Besan being one of the basic ingredients in our kitchen, this is such a handy dish to prepare. Because of the vegetables and spices, you do not need a chutney to be served alongside but a coriander/cilantro chutney would only do more good.
Recipe: (Makes about 10 -12)
1 & 1/2 cups besan
1 carrot shredded
1/2 bell pepper – green finely chopped
1 medium size onion finely chopped
1/2 cup thawed corn, mashed a little
1/2 cup thawed peas (optional)
Few sprigs of cilantro finely chopped
1 tsp red chili powder
Salt to taste
Oil
1 green chili finely chopped (optional)
Mix all the vegetables and cilantro with besan. Add some water and bring it to the consistency of a dosa or pancake batter. Add the chili powder, salt. Heat a non-stick pan or a cast iron pan, add a tsp oil and spread all over. On a medium flame, pour the batter and spread it into round shape just like the dosa or pancake. Drizzle a tsp oil around the batter.
Childa batter cooking on a cast iron pan
Allow it cook for a couple of minutes until golden brown then flip to cook on the other side. Serve hot with or without chutney; either way it tastes YUM-O!
Besan ki Childa – The Vegetarian Omelet
Gita said
Hi , Today while searching the net for Gobi Roll recipe (the one that is available at Hot Breads in Sunnyvale), I came across your site. The name was quite attractive and so ended up clicking the Gobi Paratha recipe and was happy to see your other recipes. I liked your Besan ki Childa. I plan to try that out tomorrow night for dinner but with a slight variation. I have Adai maavu with me and so plan to mix the vegetables into it and try it. Will keep you posted.
For a very long time now, I have been thinking of making a chart wherein I do not repeat what I cook atleast for 2 weeks in a row but that never seems to be happening. So, now I am planning to visit your website frequently and try out all that you are putting up. The pictures are very inviting. U said you live in Bay Area. Where do you live? I live in Sunnyvale and I do know few Priyas. So, wondering if you are one among them. If possible, please email me or respond to this comment for me to see if I know you otherwise.
Thanks and please do keep posting more recipes
Regards,
Gita
Priya said
Thanks so much Gita for your wonderful comments. I hope to keep this site up-to-date. Do let me know for any recipes you might be interested in seeing and I will try my best to add it.
Thanks,
–Priya
pat crocker said
I would love to try your besan ki childa. I would grind the chickpea powder from the beans myself, but need to know if the chickpea flour is ground from raw or cooked chickpeas?
I live about 2 hours north of Toronto in Canada, and getting the flour is difficult.
thanks, Pat
365DaysVeg said
Hi Pat,
Thanks for your comment. You need to grind dried raw chickpea to get the flour or as we call it besan. It could be a little hard to grind at home though. If you don’t mind buying the flour online, there are some options.
Hope this helps
jenny wren said
Hello, I just discovered your blog, and I can’t wait to try this recipe!
L said
Had been feeling a bit nostalgic about home cooked veg food.. away from home..
ur website is good and quite helpful..
now am off for some chilla!! thnx
365DaysVeg said
Dear L,
I am glad that my recipes could make you feel a bit comfortable and less nostalgic. Yes I guess we all go through this being so far from our parents and homeland. I hope things get better for you.
Take care dear.
Akansha's Recipe said
Great job keep up the good work!!!
Andrea said
Hi!
I tried your veg omelet and I loved it!!! I was blown away that this recipe was sooo simple and quick, yet it was delish! I did make a few adjustments I added jeera and dhania powders and a lil more mirchi pwd (what can I say I’ve developed a taste for heat). I also mixed mint-cilantro chutney with yogurt for a nice dipping sauce. My mom, who hasn’t developed a taste for Indian food (yet) loved it and requested I make it again…soon. This dish is so easy how could I not?!!!
I love your website, thanks so much
Indian Recipes said
Such a wonderful idea, This recipe looks so royal that I can wait to prepare it and cherish the taste.