# Vibrant Beetroot Chilla with Semolina

> A colourful and nutritious savoury pancake made from gram flour and fresh beetroot. This vibrant dish is a wholesome way to start your day, offering a blend of textures and plant-based protein.

- Category: Breakfast
- Diet: Vegetarian
- Time: 30 min · Serves 2 · Easy
- Per serving: 490 kcal · 18 g protein · 71 g carbs · 14 g fat
- Tags: High Protein, High Fibre, Iron
- Published: 2026-10-07
- Source: https://idyora.com/recipes/vibrant-beetroot-chilla-with-semolina

## Ingredients

### For the Batter
- 1 cup grated beetroot
- 1 cup besan
- ½ cup sooji
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp ginger chilli paste
- ¾-1 cup water
- ½ tsp salt

### For Cooking and Topping
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp coriander leaves, chopped
- 1-2 tbsp oil

## Method

1. **Prepare the Batter.** In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup besan, 0.5 cup sooji, 1 tsp cumin, and 1 tsp ginger chilli paste. Gradually whisk in 0.75 to 1 cup water until you have a smooth, pourable batter, then stir in 1 cup grated beetroot and 0.5 tsp salt. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes so the semolina can absorb the moisture.
2. **Cook the Chilla.** Heat a non-stick tawa on medium heat. Pour a ladleful of batter onto the centre and spread it gently in a circular motion to form a thin circle. Immediately sprinkle a little chopped onion and coriander leaves over the wet surface, pressing them in lightly with a spatula. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until the edges begin to lift and the bottom is firm.
3. **Crisp and Serve.** Drizzle 1-2 tbsp oil around the edges and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the bottom is set and golden-brown. Carefully flip the chilla and cook the other side for 1 minute until crisp and cooked through. Serve hot immediately.

## Tips

- Wiping the pan with a damp cloth between each chilla ensures the batter spreads easily without sticking.
- Using a mix of besan and semolina helps keep the chilla crispy rather than soft.
- Add the salt just before you start cooking to prevent the beetroot from releasing too much water into the batter.

## How to serve

Serve warm with a side of fresh green chutney and a crunchy salad of shredded carrot and radish.

## Nutrients per serving

- Fibre: 9.8g
- Calcium: 60mg
- Iron: 4.3mg
- Sodium: 673mg
- Vitamin C: 7mg

## Why it's good for you

Beetroot is a nutrient-dense root vegetable that serves as a source of diverse minerals, including potassium, iron, and manganese [1]. It is also known for its high content of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and flavonoids, which contribute to its status as a functional food [2] [3]. Importantly, beetroot is a rich source of dietary nitrates, which the body can convert into nitric oxide [4]. This process is linked to supporting healthy blood flow and cardiovascular function [4]. 

- The inclusion of besan (chickpea flour) adds plant-based protein to the meal, which supports muscle health and helps keep you feeling full [5]. 
- Vegetables like beetroot are an essential foundation for a balanced diet, and establishing healthy consumption habits early can have lasting benefits for nutrition in adulthood [2]. 
- By choosing natural plant ingredients over synthetic alternatives, you are embracing a more wholesome approach to cooking [3]. Always consult with a registered dietitian or your doctor when making significant changes to your diet to ensure they align with your personal health needs.

## Sources

1. [Functional properties of beetroot (Beta vulgaris) in management of cardio-metabolic diseases - PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6947971/) — US National Institutes of Health, 2020
2. [Root Vegetables—Composition, Health Effects, and Contaminants - PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9735862/) — US National Institutes of Health, 2022
3. [Red Beetroot and Its By-Products: A Comprehensive Review of Phytochemicals, Extraction Methods, Health Benefits, and Applications](https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/3/270) — MDPI, 2025
4. [A Narrative Review on Dietary Strategies to Provide Nitric Oxide as a Non-Drug Cardiovascular Disease Therapy: Beetroot Formulations—A Smart Nutritional Intervention](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8071323/) — US National Institutes of Health
5. [Development and quality evaluation of Pancakes prepared by utilizing Field Pea (Pisum sativum var. arvense) grown in Himachal Pradesh](https://exa.ai/library/publication/n9fr4zvcr8r) — exa.ai, 2020