This besan chilla recipe was something that my grandfather made for us. Growing up, summer and winter vacations were always at my grandparents’ house. My grandmother was a great cook and almost all meals were cooked by her, but besan ka chilla and cold coffee were my grandfather’s forte.
Besan ka Chilla is kind of like a vegetarian omelet made from gram flour mixed with water (all those aquafaba stories you hear today- apparently something similar was being done by our grandparents long back and we had no clue).
Since nobody in our family, for religious purposes or because of allergies, had any problems with egg, my grandfather would make a variant of the besan ka chilla and would add egg to the whole mix. You can of course make it eggless, but then it wont be my grandfather’s recipe. I do have an eggless version with moong dal in the archives but today I am sharing the version that I have grown up on.
Growing up I was one of the lucky few who had all of my grandparents to pamper me. Two years back, I lost my paternal grandmother. Four days back I lost my maternal grandma, my nani-mama. Even though my nani lived in Canada with my mom’s brother and his family, it was always a treat to have her visit us in India. She would bring all kinds of goodies for us. As kids I guess thats how one relates to grandparents- all the things that parents ration and keep from you, grandparents let you have. She also knitted the nicest sweaters for us. She was one of the kindest souls too- with the warmest smile I have ever seen.
My nani was a very religious person and to every problem of ours she told us to believe in god and everything will be alright. A few months before I was to get married she was diagnosed with cancer and during my marriage was undergoing chemo. Although she could not participate in any of my marriage functions, she was there throughout in the background, always ready with her blessings. The treatment did help her and for the next few years she was cancer free, only for it to reoccur. Towards the end she suffered a lot, so though it’s sad to see her go, we find consolation in knowing her suffering has finally ended.
In 2013, while doing my decorating course from Bonnie Gordon College, Canada I got to spend time with her and my uncle’s family.Having not had that luxury while growing up, I was grateful to finally get that opportunity and will always treasure those three months. This is a photograph I took of hers while I was there.
Thank you Nani mama for the unconditional love, the countless blessings, the continuous prayers for our well being.
Your smiling face and calming voice will be missed.
Hope you are resting in peace now.
We know you will always be watching over us, while enjoying your stay in heaven.
We love you. We miss you.
- 4 tbsp Gram Flour/besan
- 2 tbsp water
- 3 eggs
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- ¼ cup cilantro/coriander leaves, finely chopped
- 2 green chilles, finely chopped
- salt, to taste
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp red chilli powder
- 1-2 tbsp oil
- In a bowl, mix the gram flour with water to make a thick batter.
- Add the eggs and beat well.
- Season with salt and mix in the other chopped vegetables.
- Heat a non stick pan on medium heat. Add little oil, let heat up and then pour the gram flour egg mix. Cook like an omelet.
- Serve with either mint chutney or ketchup.
Although no one is in a celebratory mood, it is my mom’s birthday today and I just wont feel right posting this post on 12th without a mention of it. Happy Birthday, Mama. Love you.
Your Nani ma looks so angelic. I absolutely feel your pain, it is so hard to see our loved ones go, but as you said she’s a better place and away from the pain. It is very hard thing to handle.
Love chillas, I remember my cousins and I would make it as a snack after school, it’s sort of a comfort food. WE make it eggless too.
Great one dear.
xx
Thank you Asha for the kind words. Yes it is comfort food, indeed. xox
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