Holi, the festival of colors and joy, is just around the corner! What better way to celebrate this vibrant occasion than by serving healthy, delicious, and colorful dishes to your guests? One such dish that never fails to impress is cheela, a savory Indian pancake often made with besan (gram flour) or moong dal. Not only are these cheelas easy to prepare, but they are also nutritious, making them a perfect choice for a Holi feast.
Here are a few healthy cheela recipes that you can prepare quickly and serve to your guests for a fun-filled, colorful Holi celebration:
1. Besan Cheela (Chickpea Flour Pancake)
A classic, easy-to-make dish, besan cheela is a great option for your Holi celebration. Full of protein and fiber, it’s healthy and can be customized with a variety of vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup besan (gram flour)
- ½ cup water (adjust as needed for batter consistency)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small tomato, finely chopped
- 1 small bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 green chili, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
- Ghee or oil for cooking
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine besan, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Gradually add water to make a smooth batter.
- Stir in the chopped vegetables, cumin seeds, and coriander leaves.
- Heat a non-stick tawa or griddle and lightly grease it with ghee or oil.
- Pour a ladle of the batter onto the tawa and spread it in a circular motion to form a pancake.
- Cook on medium heat until the bottom is golden brown, then flip and cook the other side.
- Serve hot with green chutney or yogurt.
2. Moong Dal Cheela (Yellow Lentil Pancake)
Packed with protein, moong dal cheela is another healthy option that can be made quickly. This version is made using soaked moong dal (yellow lentils), making it naturally gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup moong dal (soaked for 2-3 hours)
- 1 green chili, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- Salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
- Ghee or oil for cooking
Instructions:
- Drain the soaked moong dal and grind it into a smooth batter with a little water.
- Add chopped onions, green chilies, ginger, cumin powder, and salt to the batter.
- Heat a tawa or non-stick pan and brush it lightly with ghee or oil.
- Pour a spoonful of batter and spread it into a round shape.
- Cook the cheela on both sides until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve with chutney or a side of fresh vegetables.
3. Vegetable Cheela (Vegetable Pancake)
For a cheela that’s bursting with nutrition and vibrant colors, a vegetable cheela is the perfect choice. It’s packed with various veggies that add flavor and texture.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup besan (gram flour)
- ½ cup water
- 1 carrot, grated
- 1 zucchini, grated
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon ajwain (carom seeds)
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
- Ghee or oil for cooking
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine besan, water, grated vegetables, chopped onions, bell pepper, ginger, ajwain, and salt.
- Mix well to form a batter. The consistency should be slightly thick.
- Heat a non-stick tawa or griddle and add a little ghee or oil.
- Pour a ladle of the batter and spread it into a round shape.
- Cook until both sides are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve with mint chutney or yogurt.
4. Ragi Cheela (Finger Millet Pancake)
Ragi, or finger millet, is a powerhouse of nutrients. Ragi cheela is not only healthy but also gives a unique earthy flavor to your pancakes. This is an ideal recipe for anyone looking to add more whole grains to their diet.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup ragi flour
- ½ cup water (adjust for consistency)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 green chili, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
- Ghee or oil for cooking
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine ragi flour, cumin seeds, and salt. Gradually add water to form a smooth batter.
- Add the chopped onion, green chili, and coriander leaves to the batter.
- Heat a non-stick pan and brush with ghee or oil.
- Pour a ladle of batter onto the pan and spread it into a round shape.
- Cook both sides until they are golden brown and crisp.
- Serve with chutney or a side of pickles.
5. Spinach Cheela
A great way to sneak in some greens, spinach cheela is packed with iron and vitamins. It’s perfect for a light yet nutritious snack during the Holi festivities.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup besan (gram flour)
- 1 cup spinach leaves, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon ginger paste
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- Water as needed
- Ghee or oil for cooking
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine besan, turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin seeds, and salt.
- Add chopped spinach, ginger paste, and enough water to form a smooth batter.
- Heat a tawa or non-stick pan and grease it with a little ghee or oil.
- Pour the batter onto the tawa and spread it into a pancake shape.
- Cook both sides until golden and serve hot with a yogurt dip or chutney.
Tips for a Successful Holi Feast:
- Use Healthy Oils: Instead of deep frying, opt for ghee or olive oil for cooking cheelas. These healthier fats enhance the flavor and are better for your health.
- Get Creative with Fillings: You can fill your cheelas with paneer, hummus, or grilled vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Serve with Chutneys: Along with the classic mint chutney, consider making a tomato, tamarind, or coconut chutney for variety.
Conclusion:
These healthy cheela recipes are not only quick and easy to make, but they also bring the flavors and colors of Holi to your table in a nutritious way. Whether you’re serving guests or enjoying a family meal, these cheelas are the perfect addition to your Holi menu. Happy cooking, and wishing you a joyful and healthy Holi celebration!
