Another reason why my mom doesn’t like sharing a recipe with me. Because there’s none to share since we are so used to a pinch of this and a dash of that.
Technicalities. Huh.
Chila is something like that. There’s a gazillion version of making this savory indian crepes, your way. The batter is a little tricky though. Semolina absorbs a lot of water, so if you allow the batter to sit for a while, it’ll need more liquid.
Sounds tricky but trust me, its so easy and delicious. Perfect breakfast or brunch over the weekend. With a teapot of masala tea, please?
And if you have any doubts of the exact measurements, I’ve made it a few more times just to be sure 😉
Ingredients:
Chila —
- 1.5 cups of semolina flour
- 1/2 cup of chickpea flour
- 1 cup yogurt, beaten
- 2 + 1/4 cups of water
- 1 cup onion, finely minced
- 1 cup carrot, grated
- 1/8 cup coriander leaves, minced
- 3 green chilies, chopped
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garam masala
Coconut Mint Chutney —
- 1 cup freshly shredded coconut
- 1/3 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 tsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 green chili
- 2 sprigs of fresh mint leaves
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- In a large bowl, stir all chila ingredients until smooth. Keep aside to rest for a few minutes.
- Meantime, heat a large non-stick skillet (tava) on medium. Using a pastry brush, very lightly oil the skillet.
- Depending on the size of crepes, add a few tablespoons of batter. Using the back of a spoon, immediately begin spreading out the batter as thin as possible.
- Allow crepes to cook on one side before flipping. Drizzle a little oil over the top and sides of crepes before flipping. Cook crepes until the sides begins to brown. Each crepe would take about 1 to 3 minutes to cook (depending on the thickness).
- Continue cooking crepes until batter is done.
- To make chutney, add all the ingredients into a small blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
- You can serve chila with some chili sauce, chutney’s or any other savory condiments.
Off to plan a weekend that involves enjoying our new TV!! Super excited. I’d say our Valentine’s Day celebration is off to a great start 🙂
Have you tried chila before? What’s your favorite “eyeball” recipe without the exact measurements?
Comments on this entry are closed.
Those savory crepes look extremely good. I wish I could taste them right now…
Cheers,
Rosa
Thanks Rosa 🙂
These crepes looks delicious! I can’t wait to try semolina flour in crepes, I always used chickpea flour alone. I am big fan of coconut chutneys and yours looks tempting! Gorgeous pictures!
Medha recently posted..Fennel Salad
Thanks Medha! Semolina is definitely a great binder for the batter. Give it a try and let me know how it tastes 🙂
I love your photography ? Absolutely gorgeous!
simi recently posted..Granola Bars
sorry about the question mark, just a typo
simi recently posted..Granola Bars
Simi — awww, thanks and it’s ok 😉
Gosh, I wish I could have this for brunch tomorrow morning. Looks lovely!! I could spend all morning relaxing at that table 🙂
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence recently posted..Meyer Lemon Coeur à la Crème with Raspberry Sauce
Brandon — you should totally do it 🙂
Never tried chila, looking forward to it. I wish I was more confident in the kitchen to try out more Indian recipes. Enjoy your new TV Kiran! If you happen to watch something very nice, let us know!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ recently posted..Broccoli and Lemongrass Barley Risotto
Daniela — oh sure! and thanks my dear. i hope you get to try more Indian recipes soon 🙂
oh most my recipes are eye ball and blogging is slow for me also because most times I’m just too bad with cooking with measurement! Lovely photos and love chila xx
Kulsum — “eyeballing” has to be the most therapeutic way of cooking 😉
These savory crepes look amazing Kiran! Hehe, sounds just like my mom too – a pinch of this and a dash of that but the results are always awesome 🙂 Thanks for sharing these stunning photos and have a great weekend!
Kelly recently posted..S’mores Chocolate Cupcakes
Kelly — lol, thanks my dear 🙂
Beautiful photos Kiran.You can make food look so tempting. I think all mothers are same 🙂
These chilas are a huge hit in my family too. my kids love to take these in their lunch box.
Nidhi — thanks so much, friends 🙂
Yesterday, I ate a similar recipe from Kriss Car’s book! Great minds think alike!
Sophie recently posted..Vegan GF veggie tofu scramble and my favourite foodie product of the month!
Sophie — yay!! 😀
Sounds and looks fantastic.
Must try this out for our next family brunch, Kira!
Love the presentation of the sauce in a coco nut shell.
Daniela recently posted..Sweet Valentine with delicate Crepes Suzette
Daniela — thanks and let me know how it tastes! Enjoy 🙂
These crepes look very tasty! I love the 2nd photo…so peaceful and wonderful.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Whole Cauliflower with Turmeric Sauce
Angie — thank you!
Looks delicious. I am the same as you, I forget the recipes easily too. That is why I have my blog to jot it down.
shobelyn recently posted..STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE
Shobelyn — thank you so much! I’m glad this is not only my problem 😉
Kiran, another beautiful, slightly exotic (to me) recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Lizzy (Good Things) recently posted..Prawn and strawberry salad with poppyseeds + a ‘good things’ Valentine’s Day Recipe Roundup
And thank you Lizzy, for the kind words 🙂
Such delicious crepes my friend, love them! I may lean towards sweet but my mum makes chila all the time 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..A Quiet Post
Uru — I have a huge sweet tooth myself 😉
Would love to have these crispy chilas for my breakfast. Scrumptious and healthy..totally a winner!
easyfoodsmith recently posted..CHOORI (Crumbled Chapatti & Some Memories…)
Taruna — yes, always a winner 🙂
I’m always playing with measurements when I cook too — and unless I’m baking (or mixing a cocktail!), so seldom make things exactly the same way twice. So I know what you mean! Anyway, great looking crepes! I gotta try these — thanks.
John@Kitchen Riffs recently posted..Boca Negra Cake
John — thank you and glad we share same sentiments 🙂
What tasty crepes, I love the mint chutney!
Thanks Laura 🙂
Sounds like my partner – he loves to taste when testing a recipe, and doesn’t like measurements. I want to try that coconut mint chutney – sounds so lovely with the fresh mint…can I use canned coconut milk? Speaking of chickpea flour, I want to make some socca, plus the ingredients in the chila sound amazing and easily veganized….I’ve never tried chila before but I imagine it would taste amazing with the flavors…..
Rika — you can try thick coconut cream to make the chutney, but the best texture is only achieved with freshly grated or frozen grated coconut. I hope you get to enjoy a veganized chila soon 🙂
these look amazing and like the title says Savory. Rarely do savory crepes only sweet so its time for a change!
Kitchen Belleicious recently posted..Deconstructed Burrito Bowl with Spicy Pulled Chicken and Avocado Dressing
Jessica — savory for breakfast is a delicious change 🙂
haha the whole “pinch of this” and “about this much of” is so true of a lot of Asian cooking. I remember my grandma telling “about 2-3 eggshells of water”. It really gives the “to taste” phrase true meaning ! I secretly think it’s because all the good cooks want to make sure the next generation cook with them to learn from scratch 😉
Carolyn Chan recently posted..La Ramade, St Tropez
Carolyn — i couldn’t agree with you more 🙂
I have been enjoying a lot of sweet breakfasts lately. I think so I need a change with your chila. How come I hadn’t come across these before!
Helene — always something to learn 🙂
The hardest part about creating or making recipes for a blog is writing down exact measurements! I have to say that it kind of takes the enjoyment out of cooking for me, to have to stop and write things down. I’m glad you did though, because these crepes look so yummy.
Amy @ Elephant Eats recently posted..Zesty Mac ‘n Cheese Casserole
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