Paneer and Spinach Stuffed Besan Chilla
Savory chickpea flour pancakes stuffed with fresh paneer and spinach, served alongside a refreshing mint yogurt chutney. A flavorful, protein-rich Indian breakfast that keeps you full for hours.
Prep
10 min
Cook
8 min
Total
18 min
Makes
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Dibu + Lila
Dibu created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
8 min
Total
18 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Large skillet · Whisk · Mixing bowl
Time saver
Leftover chilla batter can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 9 steps complete
Next: Whisk together 0
- 01
Whisk together 0
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 0.5 cup besan (chickpea flour), 0.125 tsp turmeric, 0.25 tsp cumin seeds, a pinch of salt, and 0.33 cup water until a smooth, batter forms (similar to pancake batter consistency).
Look for: a smooth, batter forms (similar to pancake batter consistency)
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat…
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat at 350°F (175°C) and coat with 0.5 tsp olive oil.
Tap card to mark done - 03
Pour the batter onto the center of…
Pour the batter onto the center of the warm skillet and spread it evenly with the back of a spoon into a 6-inch (15cm) circle.
Tap card to mark done - 04
Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until…
Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until small bubbles form on the surface and the edges flip easily with a spatula.
Look for: small bubbles form on the surface and the edges flip easily with a spatula
Tap card to mark done - 05
Flip the chilla and cook the second…
Flip the chilla and cook the second side for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly golden.
Look for: lightly golden
Tap card to mark done - 06
Sprinkle 30g grated paneer and 0
Sprinkle 30g grated paneer and 0.25 cup chopped spinach over one half of the pancake in the pan.
Tap card to mark done - 07
Fold the chilla in half over the…
Fold the chilla in half over the filling, press gently with a spatula, and cook for another 1 minute until the paneer is warmed through and the spinach is wilted.
Look for: the paneer is warmed through and the spinach is wilted
Tap card to mark done - 08
For the chutney
For the chutney, combine 2 tbsp low-fat Greek yogurt and 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint in a small bowl; stir well until smooth.
Look for: smooth
Tap card to mark done - 09
Transfer the hot stuffed chilla to a…
Transfer the hot stuffed chilla to a plate and serve immediately alongside the cooling mint chutney.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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