Green moong dal cheela is a nutritious Indian pancake made from soaked and blended green gram (moong dal) batter, often spiced with ingredients like ginger, green chilies, and cumin. The mixture is cooked on a skillet until golden brown and crispy.
1CupGreen moong dal (mung beans), soaked overnight
1Inch piece of ginger
2Green chilies, chopped
¼teaspoonAsafoetida (hing)
Salt to taste
Water as needed
Oil or ghee for cooking
Optional fillings: paneer, vegetables, or potatoes
Prevent your screen from going dark
Instructions
Prepare the Batter
Drain the soaked green moong dal and transfer it to a blender.
Add ginger, green chilies, asafoetida, and salt. Blend until smooth, adding water as needed to achieve a pancake batter consistency.
Heat the Pan
Heat a non-stick pan or griddle over medium heat. Lightly grease the surface with oil or ghee, ensuring an even layer to prevent sticking.
Cook the Cheela
Pour a ladleful of the batter onto the hot pan. To explain, if you prefer a soft cheela, do not spread the batter too thin; just spread it lightly by keeping the thickness slightly more.
Cover it while cooking so it gets cooked from inside. After that, cook for 2-3 minutes until the edges begin to lift.
Then again, if you prefer a crispy cheela, spread the batter thinly in a circular motion and cook uncovered to dry it out.
Flip and Cook the Other Side
Flip the cheela and cook the other side until golden brown. In either case, whether soft or crisp, ensure the cheela is cooked through and lightly browned on both sides.
Now that it’s ready, you can either serve it as is or add a filling before folding it over.
Serve the Cheela
At last, remove the cheela from the pan and serve hot with chutney or yogurt. All things considered, this dish is best enjoyed fresh, but it can also be packed in a lunch box.
Notes
Cooking Tips
First, make sure your batter has the right consistency; it should be thick enough to hold its shape but not too thick. If it’s too runny, add a little more flour.
Next, let the batter rest for about 15-30 minutes. This way, the flavors meld together and the texture improves.
Then, heat your pan well before adding the batter. This helps create a nice, crispy texture.
Use oil or butter to coat the pan; this adds flavor and prevents sticking.
Finally, flip the dish carefully to cook evenly on both sides!
Pro-Tips
1. Soak the Moong Dal Properly: First, soak the green moong dal overnight to make the batter smooth and easy to spread. If you’re in a hurry, you can soak it in warm water for 4-6 hours instead.2. Consistency of the Batter: Next, make sure the batter is thick but still pourable, like pancake batter. If it’s too thick, the cheela will be dense; if it’s too thin, it will be hard to spread and won’t hold together. So, add water little by little while blending to get it just right.3. Seasoning the Batter: In addition to salt, you can add spices like cumin seeds, black pepper, or chopped coriander for extra flavor. Also, a little turmeric not only adds color but is good for your health too!4. Pan Selection: When cooking, use a non-stick pan or a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet to stop the cheela from sticking. Make sure the pan is hot before you pour in the batter; this helps the cheela cook evenly and keeps it from breaking.5. Filling Ideas: Finally, to make your cheela even better, think about adding fillings like paneer, mashed potatoes, or mixed vegetables. Spread them on one side of the cheela before folding it over for a yummy, healthy meal!
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Green Moong Dal Cheela
Amount per Serving
Calories
150
% Daily Value*
Fat
6
g
9
%
Saturated Fat
2
g
13
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
4
g
Sodium
200
mg
9
%
Potassium
300
mg
9
%
Carbohydrates
25
g
8
%
Fiber
5
g
21
%
Sugar
1
g
1
%
Protein
8
g
16
%
Vitamin A
50
IU
1
%
Vitamin B1
0.1
mg
7
%
Vitamin B2
0.1
mg
6
%
Vitamin B3
1
mg
5
%
Vitamin B5
0.2
mg
2
%
Vitamin B6
0.1
mg
5
%
Vitamin C
3
mg
4
%
Vitamin E
0.2
mg
1
%
Vitamin K
3
µg
3
%
Calcium
30
mg
3
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.