Besan Frankie, A wholesome Breakfast Idea

Have you heard about Frankie? If you live in Mumbai, you must have known it as it is a popular street food there. You can find them in almost all street side food stalls there. Now Frankie has become popular in allover India too as street food. It is very much same as roll or wrap, a tangy potato mixture is wrapped up in a whole wheat roti which is fried with butter or oil before serving.

In my part of India, in Bengal, a similar food item which is also very popular street food i.e., roll. Chicken roll, Egg roll, Mutton Roll, kabab roll, kathi roll you name it, they have it all. Frankie and rolk, both are quite similar in the form other than their place of origin. While frankies are from Bombay or Mumbai, rolls are from Kolkata/bengal. I am a huge fan of these rolls too, but nowadays I try to avoid them having from outside, rather make them at home with whole wheat rotis and fried them in less oil.

I make this roll quite often when kids have no time for breakfast before going to college or school, as they can carry it with them and have it on-the-go. Last time I prepared this roll, I twisted a bit and made the rotis with besan or chickpea flour and stuffed it with a filling loaded with vegetables. Hence, sharing it with you all. It is so healthy, filling and wholesome and good part is my kids also loved them. Now you'll ask why besan, ok, the idea came from besan chilla I make quite often for breakfast, but do not stuff them as we eat as it is with some chutney. This time I stuffed for a wholesome brunch item and everyone in my family loved it. And I named it Besan Frankie. You can alter the filling of the frankie according to your preference.

Another new thing about this besan frankie is, I have tried first time with a Kolkata based new brand, Sunreap for my main ingredient, besan. Sunreap is a brand name for Nowrangray Agro Private limited. They are one of the most trusted names in the Food & Beverages industry based in Kolkata, West Bengal and a government-approved Star Export house for wheat flour in India.

So, without much edo, lets check out the recipe...

You Need :

For the outer layer:

Besan(chickpea flour) : 3 tblsp.

Ginger paste : 1 tsp.

Ajwain or carom seed : ½ tsp.

Dried kasuri methi/fenugreek leaves : 1 tsp.

Red chilli powder : 1 tsp.

Salt to taste

Water as needed to make a batter of flowing consistency

Oil : for making the frankies

For the filling :

Carrot : 1, cut into 1” long pieces

Capsicum/bell pepper : 1, cut into thin long pieces

Paneer/cottage cheese cubes : 100 gms

Onion : 1, sliced

Tomato : 1, small, cut into long slices

Garlic : 2-3 fat cloves, finely chopped

Green chilli : 1-2, chopped

Oil : 1 tblsp.

Salt to taste

Black pepper to taste

How To :

Preperation : Take besan in a wide bowl, add water little by little and beat vigorously with a wire-whisk and try to de-lump the besan, as while adding water in the besan, it tends to create lumps. Add water till you have a lump-free batter of flowing consistency. It should not be too watery nor too thick. In the batter, add ajwain seeds, salt, red chilli powder, ginger paste and dried kasuri methi and mix well. Set aside the batter till you make the filling ready.
For the filling : Marinate the paneer cubes in salt and black pepper for ½ an hour. Take 1/2 a tblsp. of oil in a pan, add marinated paneer cubes and in medium flame, saute from all sides till they are golden brown. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, add another ½ tblsp. of oil and add carrots, corn and capsicum slices. In medium flame saute till they are half done. In there, add onions and tomatoes and saute till all the vegetables are soft. Add sauted paneer cubes. Add chopped garlic and green chillies. Season with salt and black pepper/red chilli powder. You can add some fresh coriander leaves in there, too. The filling is ready.

For making the Frankie : heat a non-stick tawa in medium flame. Add 1 tsp. of oil and spread it. Now add one big spoonful of besan batter on tawa and carefully spread it into a circle. Wait for a couple of minutes till it sets and turns slightly golden brown, then brush a little oil on the topside and carefully flip to the other side and cook till other side is also slightly golden brown. Frankie is ready, take out and place it on a plate. Similarly, make the other frankies.
Serving : On a plate, keep the frankie and fill it with the filling. You can also add some raw vegetables like raw onions, cucumber or lettuce leaves etc. Carefully roll it and serve hot immediately. It tasted its best when hot.