We can list down so many reasons why you have to try making cheela pizza at home. Cheela pizza, often dubbed cheeliza, is a new concept in fusion food that has got our attention. So far, the idea of making cheeliza has only been going around via food websites by chefs, or via viral food bloggers who find innovative locals whipping up ‘swadeshi’ pizzas on a cheela. These influencers tag them as regular meals to promote them. Indeed people love to try them too. We are certainly hooked too.
As you know, a cheela is a savoury Indian pancake made with gram flour. A cheeliza has the added element of fusion in the form of pizza toppings.
It is exciting to watch creative folks who spin their magic on food. But we must encourage you to draw inspiration from them and embark on a cheeliza-making journey. It is the sort of dish that stands out as a versatile choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can use a myriad of toppings and bases to whip up your version of a cheeliza. And you can also serve it to your friends who come over!
Why Should You Try Making Cheeliza
Feeling tempted by the idea already? Imagine a scenario where a cheeliza can dazzle your guests.
It’s the weekend and you are anticipating a few guests who shall be arriving shortly, including a kid who wants to eat something delicious but the mom insists that it must also be healthy. Contemplate what is it that is going to make this kid exclaim ‘wow’ at your cooking and be fully satiated and happy without the unnecessary carb overload.
We wish that we could have grown up eating cheeliza, to be honest – it sounds wonderful. That would have been pretty nice. But let this kid enjoy the ride instead. Make this kid a peppy version of cheela with the goodness of protein-packed gram flour for the pancake and the additional deliciousness of healthy toppings. A cheeliza can be a wholesome choice, as long as you mind the quantity of cheese and pizza sauce that is added on top of the savoury gram flour pancake. If the kid is slightly fussy about the toppings and doesn’t take well to olives or jalapenos, surprise the kid with a unique combination of simple toppings such as cottage cheese or chicken, peas or mushrooms and so on. Anything!
Cheeliza: The Dish You Could Grow to Love Eating and Sharing
It is time to make cheeliza. Assuming that you already get the gist now, get down to business and into the zone then. Grab that packet of moong dal flour and make yourself a delicious batter with ginger, chilli and garlic. While it blends completely, get some toppings ready so that you waste no time in assembling your cheeliza. Options are aplenty – from green or yellow capsicum and olives to tofu, mushrooms and juicy tomatoes. Of course, before you begin away the prep, don’t forget to buy some cheese cubes and cut them into small pieces to spread over the cheela. Also have your pizza sauce ready while the batter blends. Either make it at home or buy yourself a bottle of sauce from the store.
With that said, we guess you’ll relish eating this cheeliza and would like to make it over and over again for your friends and family. You may have been eating cheela for breakfast already. It is already lauded in so many parts of India for the health benefits that it brings. As we already mentioned in the example above, the cheeliza doesn’t have to be on the unhealthy side. Give your breakfast a makeover by cooking yourself a cheeliza.
Some Highly Recommended Topping Ideas
Last but not least, please note that you can be as quirky with your toppings as you want. A cheeliza can have a healthy interpretation for breakfast, but it can also be as fun and extra-loaded as you want on a cheat day. You could make yourself an Italian cheeliza with mozzarella, basil and tomatoes or it can be bold and spicy with tandoori sauce, chicken 65, onions and capsicum.
The possibilities are endless – from tangy tomato sauce, corn and cheese to a daring cheesy mushroom sauce with olives mixed into it – there is so much out there to explore. Nowadays, pizzas come with all kinds of toppings after all. You can replicate that creativity on a cheeliza too. Go all out is what we are trying to say.
If you want, you could load your cheeliza with a small amount of chilli paneer gravy with some cheese melted into it. You will never really know which fantastic combination you are missing out on unless you give it a go. Whether you want chicken kebabs and onions on a base of cheese or the ever-so-delightful ham and pineapple, the choices are endless.
Make that cheeliza today!
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