{
  "$schema": "https://recipes.dhanjas.com/schema/recipe.schema.json",
  "format": 3,
  "slug": "besan-chilla",
  "category": "breakfast",
  "title": "Besan Chilla",
  "subtitle": "Savory chickpea-flour crepes with warming spices — a fast, protein-rich breakfast.",
  "badges": [
    "Jain Vegetarian",
    "Toddler-adapted"
  ],
  "labels": [
    "Chickpea"
  ],
  "meta": [
    "Night prep: 5 min (mix batter)",
    "Morning: 15 min",
    "Makes 6–8 chillas"
  ],
  "protein": "~16–20g protein per adult · boosts to ~24g with paneer filling",
  "nightPrep": {
    "label": "Night Before",
    "items": [
      "Mix all batter ingredients — under 5 min, no soaking needed; batter improves overnight",
      "Set aside toddler portion before adding chili; refrigerate both separately"
    ]
  },
  "ingredientGroups": [
    {
      "label": "Batter",
      "items": [
        {"id": "besan", "name": "Besan (chickpea flour)", "short": "besan", "amount": "1½ cups"},
        {"id": "water", "name": "Water", "short": "water", "amount": "¾–1 cup", "portions": {"batter": "¾ cup", "adjust": "2–3 tbsp"}},
        {"id": "ginger", "name": "Fresh ginger, grated", "short": "ginger", "amount": "1 tsp"},
        {"id": "green-chili", "name": "Green chili, chopped", "short": "green chili", "amount": "1 (adults)"},
        {"id": "coriander", "name": "Coriander leaves, chopped", "short": "coriander leaves", "amount": "2 tbsp"}
      ]
    },
    {
      "label": "Spices",
      "items": [
        {"id": "ajwain", "name": "Ajwain (carom seeds)", "short": "ajwain", "amount": "½ tsp"},
        {"id": "cumin", "name": "Cumin seeds", "short": "cumin seeds", "amount": "½ tsp"},
        {"id": "turmeric", "name": "Turmeric", "short": "turmeric", "amount": "¼ tsp"},
        {"id": "chili-powder", "name": "Red chili powder", "short": "red chili powder", "amount": "¼ tsp (adults)"},
        {"id": "coriander-powder", "name": "Coriander powder", "short": "coriander powder", "amount": "½ tsp"},
        {"id": "hing", "name": "Hing", "short": "hing", "amount": "¼ tsp"},
        {"id": "salt", "name": "Salt", "short": "salt", "amount": "½ tsp"}
      ]
    },
    {
      "label": "Filling & cooking",
      "items": [
        {"id": "paneer", "name": "Paneer, crumbled (filling)", "short": "crumbled paneer", "amount": "½ cup"},
        {"id": "chaat-masala", "name": "Chaat masala", "short": "chaat masala", "amount": "¼ tsp"},
        {"id": "salt-filling", "name": "Salt, for the filling", "short": "salt", "amount": "to taste"},
        {"id": "ghee", "name": "Oil or ghee, per chilla", "short": "ghee", "amount": "=½ tsp", "portions": {"grease": "½ tsp", "toddler-batter": "a few drops", "toddler": "a smear"}}
      ]
    }
  ],
  "method": [
    {
      "type": "step",
      "title": "Prepare batter (night before)",
      "items": [
        "Whisk {@besan} with {@water:batter} gradually to avoid lumps",
        "Add {@ginger}, {@ajwain}, {@cumin}, {@turmeric}, {@coriander-powder}, {@hing}, {@salt}",
        "Fold in {@coriander}",
        "Batter should coat a spoon but still pour — like pancake batter"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "toddler",
      "label": "Toddler — split before refrigerating",
      "items": [
        "Remove ⅓ cup of batter before adding green chili or red chili powder",
        "Stir in {@ghee:toddler-batter} — keeps her chillas softer",
        "Store separately"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "step",
      "title": "Cook (morning)",
      "items": [
        "Stir batter well — add {@water:adjust} if thickened overnight",
        "Add {@green-chili} and {@chili-powder} to adult batter",
        "If using the filling: mix {@paneer} with {@chaat-masala} and {@salt-filling}; set aside",
        "Heat tawa on medium; grease with {@ghee:grease}",
        "Pour {=¼ cup} and spread quickly; cook 2 min until edges golden",
        "Add filling {=1 tbsp} in center if using; fold and press 1 min more"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "toddler",
      "label": "Toddler cooking",
      "items": [
        "Cook on medium-low; small chillas {2 tbsp batter}, serve flat",
        "Brush with {@ghee:toddler} while warm — adds calories"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "tip",
      "label": "Tip",
      "text": "Ajwain aids digestion and gives the chilla its savory aroma. Besan batter thickens more than moong overnight — always loosen with water before cooking."
    }
  ],
  "tags": [
    "Quick",
    "Night prep",
    "High-protein"
  ],
  "added": "2026-09-06"
}