Khao Recipes: Cheese Cheela Sandwich | Vegetarian cooking with Punam Vaja | Street food | Desi

A cheela is a savoury gram flour pancake, and this sandwich version, we combine cheese to create a delicious dish!

I’m a big fan of toasted sandwiches, and in this one, we create a delicious way to enjoy a crispy cheela with cheese.

Ingredients:

Sliced bread: 2 x toast per sandwich
Butter for frying

For the Batter:
250 grams gram flour
150 ml water
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 1/2 tsp paprika
Salt to taste

Fillings:
1 cup grated cheese
2 tomatoes, diced
1/2 green pepper, diced
Pickled onions (can replace with regular onions if preferred)

Method:

1. Sift the flour well. This will prevent any lumps forming in the batter.
2. Add the batter seasonings, starting with salt, pepper, ground cinnamon, paprika powder, and oregano. Give the mixture a good whisk.
3. Make a well in the flour and slowly add the water, whisking the batter in one direction. You want a smooth consistency, with a slightly watery batter. Once you have whisked the batter well, with no lumps, place the mixing bowl on the side.
4. I have already prepared the filling ingredients beforehand. You can really add anything you like, but I like to add tomatoes and peppers for texture. I have also used pickled onions for this filling.
5. It is easy to pickle onions - I use red onions, sliced finely. I store these in a jar with sugar and white vinegar. These stay for a few weeks if kept in the fridge.
6. A sandwich isn’t complete without cheese! We use cheddar cheese, but you can use mozzarella too if you like.
7. On a flat pan, add a teaspoon of butter. I have taken the batter out in a flatter bowl so it is easier to dip the bread slices.
8. Keep the heat on medium to low. Carefully dip both sides of the sliced bread in the batter and place on the hot pan. Allow one side to cook well for 5 minutes.
9. Add butter to the top side and carefully turn over to cook both sides.
10. On one of the breads, add the chopped fillings one at a time. Start with the diced vegetables and then the pickled onions. Lastly, add heaps of cheese!
11. Add some butter and then add the other slice of bread on this one. Add some more butter and then flip the sandwich over. The butter will make the cheela sandwich crispy!
12. You can add some more cheese on top for a cheese crisp top or once you remove the cheela from the heat.
13. These are best served hot so serve immediately! Enjoy as is, or with a sauce or chutney!

Thanks for watching!

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