Introduction

Aloo cheela is a tasty dish. It’s like the Indian version of potato pancakes.

I like this recipe as it requires very few ingredients. In this period of lockdown, we all are struggling to prepare something different with limited resources. So, this is the best option to go forward with.

In this blog, we will understand how to make aloo cheela. There are a plethora of names for this like aloo ka cheela, batata thalipeeth (in Marathi).

You simply require potatoes and gram flour for this recipe.

Mix grated potatoes and gram flour(besan), add spices to it and make your pancake. They taste delicious.

This is a good alternative for kids’ tiffin. Morning breakfast and evening snack is no exception. Moreover, they are healthy with a myriad of nutrients needed to kick start your day.

It can be served with Dahi (yogurt), coriander chutney or tomato sauce.

Recipe

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time:10-15 minutes

Overall Time: 20-25 minutes

Ingredients Serving: 5 pancakes

-3 medium-sized potatoes,grated

-4 tbsp of besan

-1/4 tbsp of ajwain

-3/4 tbsp of coriander, finely chopped

-A pinch of turmeric

-1 1/2 tbsp of red chilly powder

-1 tbsp of garam masala

-1/2 tbsp of amchur powder

-Salt as per taste

-1 tbsp of cumin seeds

-2 green chilies,finely chopped

Step 1: Grate the potatoes.

Step 2: Soak grated potatoes in water for 1 minute.

Step 3: Squeeze water from potatoes and keep it in another utensil.

Step 4: Add besan, ajwain, coriander, turmeric, red chilly powder, garam masala, amchur powder and salt to grated potatoes and mix it. If you are also adding green chilies, then be careful while adding red chilly powder. You need to balance the spiciness. If you feel it is too dry, add very very little water to it and mix it.

Step 5: Once the mixture is ready, grease the pan with oil. Use a spoon to spread mixture over the pan. Since it is a thick batter, it needs to be spread properly.  Sprinkle oil over the edges.

Step 6: Flip it so that the other side gets cooked as well. Again, sprinkle oil over the edges.

Now the potato pancake is ready. It can be served with yogurt (Dahi) or tomato sauce.

Key Points

1. If you add green chili and red chilly powder both, then strike a balance between them to adjust the spiciness.

2. Instead of oil, you may even use butter or ghee.

3. Cook it on a medium flame and not high flame. You can also cover it with a lid when it is getting cooked on Pan.

4. You can also prepare this with just the grated potatoes (no besan). Add spices to grated potatoes and cook it. Even these pancakes taste delicious.

5. Add grated cheese to prepare aloo cheese pancake.

Health Benefits

Besan

1. Good for heart

Besan has soluble fiber which keeps your heart healthy.

2. Keeps diabetes in check

Besan has a lower level of the glycemic index which keeps diabetes in check.

3. Helps in weight loss

Since besan is low on the glycemic index, it bolsters weight loss. Consuming gram flour leads you to eat lesser calories.

4. Great for skincare

Gram flour is the best home remedy for skincare. It tightens and lightens the skin.

Potatoes

1. Acts as an antioxidant

Potatoes act as antioxidants in the body by neutralizing destructive molecules called free radicals. Being antioxidant, they reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart problems and certain cancers.

2. Keep you full for a long time

Except being tasty, potatoes are incredibly filling.  Potatoes have received the highest fullness rating in one of the studies performed.

Please do give it a try and let me know how it tasted.