Out of Ajwain? Try These Creative Hacks for Savory Besan Chilla!
Cooking is all fun until you realize you forgot to buy ajwain. Don’t panic—I once attempted chilla mid-recipe only to find my spice jar suspiciously empty too.
The beauty of besan chilla? It’s the kitchen equivalent of a trusty canvas—we’re just adding new spices to paint with!
Why Ajwain is the MVP (But We Can Work Without It)
Let’s be real: ajwain’s earthy kick brings warmth, aids digestion, and whispers “authenticity” to your taste buds. But we’ve got backup pals waiting in your spice rack’s B-list stars.
Plan A: Nigella Seeds
Meet nigella seeds—the tiny black specks that taste like a cozy cross between onion and pepper. I discovered this swap during a midnight chilla craving in college. My dorm-mate tossed me her spice tin saying, “Trust me, it’s magic.” (She was right.)
Guide:
- Step 1: Swap ajwain 1:1. Recipe wants 1 tsp carom? Give it 1 tsp nigella. Easy math!
- Step 2: Dry-toast them 60 seconds. Your kitchen will smell like a Delhi street cart. Pro tip: Do this while dramatically waving a spatula for full chef effect.
- Step 3: Cook as usual. No extra time needed—unless you count the seconds spent resisting the urge to eat them straight off the griddle.
Will it taste identical? Nah. But it’ll have that addictive “one-more-bite” quality we’re after.
Plan B: Celery Seeds
Not into bold flavors? Celery seeds are your shy cousin who secretly aces every exam. They add earthiness without hogging the spotlight. Perfect for when you want chilla that whispers, “I’m sophisticated,” rather than shouting.
Let’s Do This:
- Step 1: Use half the ajwain amount. 1 tsp becomes ½ tsp. Less is more here.
- Step 2: Quick toast—just until they release a grassy aroma. Imagine you’re waking them up gently.
- Step 3: Mix into batter and cook. Taste-test. Feeling adventurous? Add a pinch of smoked paprika. I won’t tell.
Bonus: Your kitchen now smells like a French bistro crossed with Mumbai monsoon. You’re welcome.
Go Forth and Chilla!
Look, friends—cooking isn’t about perfection. It’s about the joy of slinging batter in a pan and laughing when your first chilla looks… abstract. Did these swaps work for you? Tag me on Instagram with your kitchen improv stories. And hey—if you used both substitutes at once? That’s not rebellion. That’s culinary jazz.
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