Shop the Best Besan, Laddu Besan, and Chana Besan at JFK Grocery in Jersey City, New Jersey
Busy mornings and long workdays can make cooking feel difficult. However, you do not always need expensive ingredients or several hours to prepare something tasty. A bag of besan can help you make a filling breakfast, a quick snack, a simple lunch, or even a delicious dessert.
Besan, also called gram flour or chana besan, is made from ground chickpeas. It has a mild, nutty taste and works well in many Indian recipes. You can use it to make chilla, pakora, khaman, ladoo, and much more.
At JFK Grocery, you can shop for different types and sizes of besan, including:
Here are ten quick besan recipes that you can make at home without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Why Besan Is Useful for Quick Indian Cooking
Besan is one of the most useful items to keep in an Indian kitchen. It mixes quickly, cooks fast, and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
Unlike some grains and lentils, besan does not need hours of soaking. You can open the packet, mix it with a few basic ingredients, and begin cooking right away. It can also help bind vegetables and create a crispy coating for snacks.
For the best results, keep besan in a dry, airtight container. Use a clean and dry spoon every time you take flour from the container.
1. Quick Besan Chilla
Preparation and cooking time: 15 minutes
Besan chilla is a simple Indian pancake that works well for breakfast, lunch, or a light dinner. It is easy to prepare and can be filled with fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
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1 cup Laxmi Besan
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¾ cup water, or as required
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¼ cup chopped red onion
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¼ cup chopped tomato
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Chopped green chili
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Chopped coriander leaves
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¼ teaspoon turmeric
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½ teaspoon cumin seeds
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Salt to taste
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Oil for cooking
You can find fresh red onions, tomatoes, green chilies, and coriander at JFK Grocery.
Method
Add besan, spices, salt, and water to a mixing bowl. Whisk until the batter becomes smooth. Mix in the chopped vegetables.
Heat a pan and lightly grease it with oil. Pour one spoonful of batter onto the pan and spread it into a thin circle. Cook both sides until golden brown.
Serve your chilla hot with chutney or Gopi 2% Yogurt.
2. Crispy Onion Besan Pakora
Preparation and cooking time: 20 minutes
Onion pakoras are perfect for rainy evenings, family gatherings, or sudden snack cravings. They need only a few common ingredients.
Ingredients
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1 cup besan
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2 thinly sliced red onions
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1 chopped green chili
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Chopped coriander
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½ teaspoon ajwain
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½ teaspoon red chili powder
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Salt to taste
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Water as required
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Oil for frying
Method
Place the sliced onions in a bowl. Add salt and leave them for about five minutes. The onions will release some water.
Add besan, chili, coriander, ajwain, and red chili powder. Mix well. Add only a little water if the mixture feels too dry.
Drop small portions into medium-hot oil. Fry until the pakoras become crisp and golden. Place them on paper towels to remove extra oil.
Serve with tea from JFK Grocery’s tea and coffee collection.
3. Vegetable Besan Toast
Preparation and cooking time: 15 minutes
Do you have bread at home but want something more interesting than plain toast? Besan vegetable toast is a quick and tasty answer.
Ingredients
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½ cup besan
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⅓ cup water
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4 bread slices
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Chopped onion
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Chopped tomato
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Chopped green bell pepper
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Green chili
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Coriander
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Salt and black pepper
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Oil or butter
Method
Mix besan, water, vegetables, salt, and pepper to make a thick batter. Dip one side of a bread slice into the mixture.
Place the coated side on a heated pan. Spread a little more batter on the top side. Turn carefully and cook both sides until golden.
You can shop for bread from JFK Grocery’s bread collection and fresh green bell peppers.
4. Instant Besan Dhokla
Preparation and cooking time: 25 minutes
Soft dhokla does not always require a long fermentation period. This quick version can be prepared when you want a light Gujarati snack.
Ingredients
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1 cup besan
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½ cup yogurt
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½ cup water
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1 teaspoon ginger and green chili paste
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½ teaspoon turmeric
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1 teaspoon sugar
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Salt to taste
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1 teaspoon fruit salt
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Mustard seeds and curry leaves for tempering
Method
Mix besan, yogurt, water, ginger-chili paste, turmeric, sugar, and salt. Whisk until the batter is smooth.
Grease a steaming plate. Add fruit salt to the batter just before steaming and mix gently. Pour the batter into the plate and steam for 12 to 15 minutes.
Heat a little oil and add mustard seeds and curry leaves. Pour the tempering over the dhokla. Cut it into pieces and serve.
If you need an even faster option, explore JFK Grocery’s instant-mix collection or try Gits Khatta Dhokla Mix.
5. Gujarati Khaman
Preparation and cooking time: 25 minutes
Khaman is a soft, savory Gujarati snack made with besan. It is similar to dhokla but is usually lighter, spongier, and slightly sweeter. Khaman is delicious as a breakfast, tea-time snack, or party appetizer.
Ingredients
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1 cup Laxmi Besan
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½ cup water
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¼ cup yogurt
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1 tablespoon lemon juice
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1 teaspoon ginger and green chili paste
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1 teaspoon sugar
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¼ teaspoon turmeric
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Salt to taste
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1 teaspoon fruit salt
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1 tablespoon oil
For the Tempering
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1 tablespoon oil
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½ teaspoon mustard seeds
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1 teaspoon sesame seeds
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1 teaspoon sugar
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½ cup water
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Curry leaves
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Chopped green chili
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Chopped coriander
Method
In a bowl, combine besan, yogurt, water, lemon juice, ginger-chili paste, sugar, turmeric, salt, and oil. Whisk until the batter is smooth and free of lumps. Let it rest for five minutes.
Grease a steaming tray. Add fruit salt to the batter and gently fold it in. The batter will become light and bubbly.
Pour the batter into the tray and steam for 12 to 15 minutes. Check with a toothpick; it should come out clean.
For the tempering, heat oil in a small pan. Add mustard seeds, sesame seeds, curry leaves, and green chili. Once the seeds begin to crackle, add water and sugar. Bring the mixture to a quick boil.
Pour the tempering over the steamed khaman. Garnish with chopped coriander, cut into squares, and serve with chutney.
For a convenient shortcut, shop the instant-mix collection or try Gits Khaman Dhokla Mix.
6. Quick Besan Kadhi
Preparation and cooking time: 25 minutes
Besan kadhi is warm, comforting, and full of familiar Indian flavors. It tastes wonderful with steamed rice or roti.
Ingredients
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¼ cup besan
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1 cup yogurt
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3 cups water
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½ teaspoon turmeric
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Salt to taste
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½ teaspoon mustard seeds
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½ teaspoon cumin seeds
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Curry leaves
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Chopped ginger
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Green chili
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A pinch of asafoetida
Method
Whisk the besan, yogurt, water, turmeric, and salt until no lumps remain.
Heat a pot and prepare the tempering with oil, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, ginger, green chili, and asafoetida. Pour in the yogurt and besan mixture.
Cook over medium heat while stirring. Once it begins to boil, lower the heat and cook for another 10 to 12 minutes.
Serve with Laxmi Extra Long Basmati Rice or warm Phulka Fresh Roti.
7. Besan Paneer Cheela Roll
Preparation and cooking time: 20 minutes
This recipe turns a basic besan chilla into a satisfying meal. It is also an easy way to add vegetables and paneer to your plate.
Ingredients
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1 cup besan
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Water as required
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Salt, turmeric, and cumin
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½ cup crumbled paneer
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Sliced onion
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Sliced green bell pepper
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Chopped coriander
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Paneer masala
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Oil
Method
Prepare a smooth batter with besan, water, salt, turmeric, and cumin. Cook thin chillas on a heated pan.
In another pan, cook the onion and bell pepper for two to three minutes. Add crumbled paneer and a small amount of paneer masala. Mix and cook briefly.
Place the filling inside the chilla and roll it tightly. Cut the roll in half before serving.
Use Nanak Malai Paneer and MDH Shahi Paneer Masala for an easy and flavorful filling.
8. Besan Vegetable Fritters
Preparation and cooking time: 20 minutes
This is a useful recipe when you have a few vegetables left in the refrigerator. You can use potato, spinach, onion, bell pepper, cauliflower, or thin slices of eggplant.
Ingredients
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1 cup besan
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1½ cups sliced mixed vegetables
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½ teaspoon turmeric
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½ teaspoon cumin powder
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½ teaspoon red chili powder
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Salt to taste
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Water
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Oil
Method
Mix besan, spices, salt, and enough water to make a thick batter.
Dip each vegetable slice into the batter. Cook the pieces in hot oil until crisp. For a lighter version, brush them with oil and cook them in an air fryer.
Serve them hot with coriander chutney, tomato sauce, or yogurt. Shop for seasonal ingredients from JFK Grocery’s fresh vegetable collection.
9. Instant Besan Halwa
Preparation and cooking time: 20 minutes
Besan is not only for savory food. You can also turn it into a warm, rich dessert with just a few ingredients.
Ingredients
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1 cup besan
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½ cup ghee
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½ cup sugar
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1½ cups warm milk or water
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Cardamom powder
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Chopped almonds and walnuts
Method
Heat ghee in a heavy pan. Add besan and roast it on low heat. Stir without stopping so that it does not burn.
When the besan becomes golden and smells nutty, slowly add warm milk or water. Be careful because the mixture may splash.
Add sugar and cardamom. Continue stirring until the halwa becomes thick and leaves the sides of the pan. Garnish with Laxmi Almonds and JFK Grocery Walnuts.
You can use Laxmi Pure Ghee to give the halwa a traditional flavor.
10. Quick Besan Ladoo
Preparation and cooking time: 25 minutes
Besan ladoo is a popular Indian sweet made for festivals, family visits, and special moments. Using the right flour can make the ladoos taste richer and give them a better texture.
Ingredients
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2 cups Laxmi Ladoo Besan
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¾ cup ghee
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¾ cup powdered sugar
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½ teaspoon cardamom powder
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Chopped almonds or cashews
Method
Heat ghee in a thick pan over low heat. Add ladoo besan and roast it slowly. Stir often to prevent burning.
When the mixture becomes golden and gives off a pleasant smell, remove it from the heat. Let it cool until it is warm but easy to touch.
Add powdered sugar and cardamom. Mix well. Take small portions and shape them into round ladoos. Decorate with chopped nuts.
For the best texture, choose Laxmi Ladoo Besan 2 lb. You can also try Deep Ladu Besan.
What Is the Difference Between Regular Besan and Ladoo Besan?
Regular besan usually has a fine texture. It mixes smoothly with water, so it is suitable for chilla, pakora batter, dhokla, and vegetable fritters.
Ladoo besan is often ground to provide a slightly different texture that works well in traditional sweets. It can give ladoos a richer and grainier mouthfeel.
If you prepare many everyday dishes, regular Laxmi Besan is a useful choice. If you are planning to prepare ladoos, use Laxmi Ladoo Besan.
Simple Tips for Cooking with Besan
Follow these tips to make your besan recipes better:
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Sift the besan before mixing if you see lumps.
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Add water slowly when making batter.
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Let chilla or pakora batter rest for five minutes when possible.
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Roast besan over low or medium-low heat for sweets.
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Keep stirring besan when making halwa or ladoo.
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Use fresh vegetables for better flavor and texture.
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Add ajwain to fried besan dishes for a traditional taste.
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Store unused flour in a cool and dry place.
Do not use besan if it has an unpleasant smell, insects, moisture, or an unusual taste.
Where to Buy Laxmi Besan in Jersey City, New Jersey
If you are searching for Laxmi Besan, laddu besan, or chana besan near Jersey City, visit JFK Grocery. You can find Indian flours, spices, fresh vegetables, dairy products, snacks, sweets, rice, and many other daily grocery items in one place.
Browse the rice and aata collection or visit the store at:
JFK Grocery
3294 JFK Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07307
Phone: 201-456-5474
Website: www.jfkgrocery.com
Instagram: @jfk_grocery
Whether you need a small pack for one recipe or a larger pack for regular cooking, JFK Grocery makes it easy to choose the right type of besan for your kitchen.
Conclusion
Besan is a simple ingredient that can help you prepare many delicious dishes in less time. It works for breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner, and desserts. From a hot besan chilla in the morning to sweet ladoos for a family celebration, one ingredient can offer many choices.
Start with an easy recipe such as vegetable chilla, besan toast, or scramble. When you have more time, try khaman, halwa, or ladoo. Keep fresh besan in your pantry, and you will always have a quick meal or snack idea ready.
Visit JFK Grocery in Jersey City or shop online for Laxmi Besan, Laxmi Ladoo Besan, fresh vegetables, ghee, yogurt, paneer, rice, and other ingredients needed for these recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Besan
1. What is besan made from?
Besan is made by grinding chickpeas or Bengal gram into flour. It is also known as gram flour or chana besan.
2. Which quick dishes can I prepare with besan?
You can quickly prepare besan chilla, vegetable toast, onion pakora, besan scramble, fritters, khaman, dhokla, and halwa.
3. Can I use regular besan to make ladoos?
Yes, regular besan can be used for ladoos. However, ladoo besan is specially suited to traditional sweets and may provide the texture many people prefer.
4. How can I prevent lumps in besan batter?
Add water a little at a time and whisk the mixture well. You can also sift the besan before adding water.
5. Why does my besan chilla stick to the pan?
The pan may not be hot enough, the batter may be too thin, or the pan may need a little more oil. Use a well-seasoned or non-stick pan and cook over medium heat.
6. How do I know when besan is properly roasted?
Properly roasted besan usually becomes golden and develops a warm, nutty smell. Roast it slowly and keep stirring to avoid burning it.
7. How should I store besan at home?
Keep besan in a clean, dry, airtight container. Store it away from sunlight, heat, moisture, and strong-smelling foods.
8. Where can I buy Laxmi Besan in Jersey City?
You can purchase Laxmi Besan from JFK Grocery at 3294 JFK Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07307, or shop through the JFK Grocery website.
9. What can I serve with besan chilla?
Besan chilla can be served with yogurt, coriander chutney, pickle, tomato sauce, or a fresh vegetable salad.
10. Can besan be used for both sweet and savory recipes?
Yes. Besan is used in savory dishes such as chilla, pakora, khaman, and dhokla. It is also used in sweets such as besan ladoo and besan halwa.