{
  "$schema": "https://recipes.dhanjas.com/schema/recipe.schema.json",
  "format": 3,
  "slug": "moong-dal-chilla",
  "category": "breakfast",
  "title": "Moong Dal Chilla",
  "subtitle": "High-protein · Night prep · 2 adults + toddler",
  "badges": [
    "Jain Vegetarian",
    "Toddler-adapted"
  ],
  "labels": [
    "Lentil"
  ],
  "meta": [
    "Night prep: 5 min (soak)",
    "Morning: 25 min",
    "Makes 6–7 chillas"
  ],
  "protein": "~18–22g protein per adult serving (3 chillas)",
  "nightPrep": {
    "label": "Night Before",
    "items": [
      "Rinse {@moong} and soak in water overnight (minimum 6 hrs)",
      "Blend and refrigerate batter — takes 5 min; set toddler portion aside before adding chili"
    ]
  },
  "ingredientGroups": [
    {
      "label": "Batter",
      "items": [
        {"id": "moong", "name": "Yellow moong dal (split, skinned)", "short": "moong dal", "amount": "1 cup"},
        {"id": "water", "name": "Water (for blending)", "short": "water", "amount": "⅓–½ cup", "portions": {"blend": "⅓ cup", "adjust": "1–2 tbsp"}},
        {"id": "ginger", "name": "Fresh ginger, grated", "short": "ginger", "amount": "1 tsp"},
        {"id": "green-chili", "name": "Green chili, finely chopped", "short": "green chili", "amount": "1 (adults)"},
        {"id": "cumin", "name": "Cumin seeds", "short": "cumin seeds", "amount": "½ tsp"},
        {"id": "hing", "name": "Hing (asafoetida)", "short": "hing", "amount": "¼ tsp", "portions": {"batter": "¼ tsp", "toddler": "tiny pinch"}},
        {"id": "turmeric", "name": "Turmeric", "short": "turmeric", "amount": "¼ tsp", "portions": {"batter": "¼ tsp", "toddler": "tiny pinch"}},
        {"id": "salt", "name": "Salt", "short": "salt", "amount": "½ tsp"}
      ]
    },
    {
      "label": "Fillings (optional) & cooking",
      "items": [
        {"id": "spinach", "name": "Spinach, finely chopped", "short": "spinach", "amount": "¼ cup"},
        {"id": "capsicum", "name": "Capsicum, finely diced", "short": "capsicum", "amount": "¼ cup"},
        {"id": "paneer", "name": "Paneer, crumbled", "short": "paneer", "amount": "½ cup", "portions": {"toddler": "2 tbsp", "main": "rest"}},
        {"id": "coriander", "name": "Coriander leaves, chopped", "short": "coriander", "amount": "2 tbsp"},
        {"id": "ghee", "name": "Ghee or oil, per chilla", "short": "ghee", "amount": "=1 tsp", "portions": {"grease": "½ tsp", "drizzle": "½ tsp"}}
      ]
    }
  ],
  "method": [
    {
      "type": "step",
      "title": "Make batter (night before)",
      "items": [
        "Drain soaked {@moong} completely",
        "Blend with {@water:blend} until smooth — should coat a spoon but pour easily",
        "Add {@ginger}, {@cumin}, {@hing:batter}, {@turmeric:batter}, {@salt}",
        "Fold in {@spinach}, {@capsicum}, {@paneer:main} and {@coriander} by hand — do not blend"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "toddler",
      "label": "Toddler — set aside now (night before)",
      "items": [
        "Remove ⅓ cup of batter before adding green chili",
        "Stir in {@turmeric:toddler} and {@hing:toddler} — skip green chili only",
        "Optionally stir in crumbled {@paneer:toddler} for extra protein",
        "Store separately, labelled, in fridge"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "step",
      "title": "Cook (morning)",
      "items": [
        "Stir batter well — add {@water:adjust} if too thick",
        "Stir {@green-chili} into adult batter",
        "Heat tawa on medium; grease with {@ghee:grease}",
        "Pour {=~¼ cup} and spread in a circle; cook 2–3 min until edges lift",
        "Drizzle {@ghee:drizzle} around edges, flip, cook 1–2 min more",
        "Cook toddler batter on medium-low first — smaller chillas, serve flat"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "toddler",
      "label": "Toddler cooking",
      "items": [
        "Cook on medium-low; make 2 small chillas {2–3 tbsp batter each}",
        "Press gently with spatula — no aggressive flipping",
        "Serve with plain yogurt or mild coriander chutney"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "tip",
      "label": "Tip",
      "text": "If chillas tear, the tawa isn't hot enough — wait 30 seconds before spreading."
    }
  ],
  "tags": [
    "Night prep",
    "High-protein"
  ],
  "added": "2026-09-06"
}