Moong Dal Chilla | Quick Paneer Ka Cheela Recipe
Moong Dal Chilla and Paneer Ka Cheela are healthy, protein-packed Indian pancakes made from lentils and cottage cheese, respectively.Moong Dal Chilla is made by grinding soaked yellow moong dal into a smooth batter, seasoned with spices, and cooked like a savory pancake. It’s light, nutritious, and ideal for breakfast or as a snack.Quick Paneer Ka Cheela involves a gram flour (besan) or moong dal base filled or topped with spiced crumbled paneer. It’s a quick and filling option that combines the goodness of lentils and protein-rich paneer.Both cheelas are easy to prepare, low in oil, and typically served with green chutney or yogurt, making them perfect for a healthy meal or tiffin option.
Ingredients
Moong Dal Chilla
- Moong dal (मूँग दाल) – 1 cup
- Cumin (जीरा) – 2 tsp
- Turmeric (हल्दी) – ¾ tsp
- Heeng (हींग) – ½ tsp
- Chilli powder (मिर्ची पाउडर) – 1½ tsp
- Salt (नमक) – to taste
- Curry leaves (कड़ी पत्ता) – 1 sprig
- Green chilli (हरि मिर्च) – 1 no
- Ginger ½” piece (अदरक) – 2 nos
- Onion, medium (प्याज़) – 1 no
- Water (पानी) – ⅓ cup (approx.)
- Oil (तेल) – to drizzle
For Paneer Stuffing
- Paneer (पनीर) – 200 gms
- Salt (नमक) – to taste
- Chilli powder (मिर्ची पाउडर) – ½ tsp
- Roasted Cumin (भुना जीरा) – 1½ tsp
- Coriander, chopped (ताज़ा धनिया) – a handful
- Green chilli, chopped (हरि मिर्च) – 1 no
- Kasoori Methi powder (कसूरी मेथी पाउडर) – ¼ tsp
Instructions
- For moong dal chilla, soak the moong dal overnight or for at least 2 hours. Strain the soaked moong dal, then add cumin, turmeric, heeng, salt, curry leaves, green chilli, ginger, and roughly diced onions. Now, we just have to grind all of these. Add a dash of water while grinding to make it a smooth paste. The batter is ready; you can adjust the consistency by adding water.
- For Paneer stuffing, mash paneer with your hands, add salt, chilli powder, roasted cumin, chopped coriander, chopped green chillies, and kasoori Methi powder. Mix this up and our stuffing is ready.
- Let’s Make Chilla! Pour a ladleful of the moong dal batter onto a hot pan and spread it gently in a circular motion to form a thin chilla. Drizzle some oil. Cook the chilla on medium-low heat 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. Place some stuffing on the chilla and fold it like a taco, or you can even roll it. Remove the chilla from the pan and repeat the process with the remaining batter to make more chillas.Serve the moong dal chillas hot with chutney, or any preferred accompaniment.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!