Moong Dal Cheela Recipe
Moong dal cheela is a delicious Indian pancake made from soaked and ground moong dal (green gram). Mixed with spices, chopped vegetables, and herbs, the batter is cooked on a skillet until crispy. It's a nutritious, protein-packed dish often served with chutney or yogurt, perfect for breakfast or a healthy snack.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Moong Dal (green gram lentils)
- 1 Small onion, finely chopped
- 1 Small tomato, finely chopped
- 1 Green chili, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Ginger-garlic paste
- ½ teaspoon Cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon Red chili powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoon Chopped cilantro (coriander leaves)
- ¼ Cup Water (as needed)
- Oil for cooking
Instructions
Soak the Moong Dal
- First Step: Start by soaking 1 cup of moong dal in water. You should do this for at least 2 hours, but if you can, it’s even better to soak it overnight!
Prepare the Batter
- After soaking the moong dal, drain the water and blend it into a smooth batter. If it's too thick, add a little water to adjust the consistency. You can make it as thick or thin as you prefer!
Mix Ingredients
- Next, pour the batter into a mixing bowl. Then, add the chopped onions, tomatoes, green chili, ginger-garlic paste, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Stir everything well until it’s nicely mixed!
Cook the Chillas
- Next: Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle on medium heat. Then, add a little oil to grease it lightly. Once the skillet is hot, pour a ladleful of batter onto it. After that, spread the batter into a round shape. Even if the batter is thick, it should still spread out nicely!
- Now: Cook the chilla for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until it turns golden brown. In the meantime, you can gently press down on it with a spatula. This helps it cook evenly and become nice and crispy!
Serve Hot
- Finally: Serve the Moong Dal Cheela hot with your favorite chutney or yogurt. Plus, you can also enjoy it with a side of pickle or a fresh salad to make it a complete meal. Enjoy!
Notes
Variations
1. Spice Up Your Cheela
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- Add spices like chili powder, turmeric, or coriander for a zesty kick
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- Mix in fresh herbs like cilantro or mint for extra flavor
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- For a creamy twist, try adding grated mozzarella or cheddar cheese
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- Add chopped veggies like spinach, bell peppers, or carrots for color and crunch
2. Lentil Variations
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- Mix moong dal with other lentils like urad dal or chana dal for extra protein and flavor
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- Soak and blend the lentils together for a tasty twist!
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- Add a little besan (gram flour) for a nutty flavor and thicker batter
3. Regional and Traditional Twists
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- Cheela from Punjab: Add ajwain (carom seeds) for a special flavor, and enjoy with butter or ghee for a traditional touch
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- South Indian Influence: Mix fermented rice or idli batter into moong dal batter for a tangy taste and unique texture
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- Spicy Maharashtrian Style: Add grated coconut and green chilies for a spicy twist, and serve with coconut chutney
4. Sweet Variations
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- Sweet Cheela: If you want a dessert, you can mix in a little jaggery or sugar, along with cardamom powder. Then, serve these sweet cheelas with honey or fruit preserves for a delicious treat!
Tips for Success
1. Achieving the Perfect Batter Consistency
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- Soaking: Soak the moong dal for 2-4 hours to soften it for smoother blending.
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- Blending: Blend with just enough water to make a thick, pourable batter, similar to pancake batter. Too thin = soggy, too thick = uncooked.
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- Resting: Let the batter rest for 15-30 minutes to improve texture.
2. Cooking Evenly and Avoiding Sticking
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- Preheat the Pan: Heat the non-stick skillet over medium heat for even cooking and no sticking.
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- Oil Application: Lightly oil the pan (ghee works great) and spread it evenly.
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- Pouring the Batter: Pour a ladleful of batter, spreading it evenly in a ¼-inch layer.
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- Cooking Time: Cook for 2-3 minutes until the edges lift and the bottom is golden.
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- Flipping & Checking: Flip carefully and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes. Ensure it’s firm and slightly crispy.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Moong Dal Cheela Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
480
% Daily Value*
Fat
12
g
18
%
Saturated Fat
2
g
13
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
5
g
Sodium
800
mg
35
%
Potassium
800
mg
23
%
Carbohydrates
80
g
27
%
Fiber
20
g
83
%
Sugar
5
g
6
%
Protein
28
g
56
%
Vitamin A
300
IU
6
%
Vitamin B1
0.2
mg
13
%
Vitamin B2
0.1
mg
6
%
Vitamin B3
2
mg
10
%
Vitamin B5
0.3
mg
3
%
Vitamin B6
0.2
mg
10
%
Vitamin C
10
mg
12
%
Vitamin E
0.5
mg
3
%
Vitamin K
6
µg
6
%
Calcium
50
mg
5
%
Iron
6
mg
33
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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