Gram flour
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 1,619 kJ (387 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates | 57 g |
| - Sugars | 10g |
| - Dietary fiber | 10 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Protein | 22 g |
| Water | 10 g |
| Vitamin A equiv. | 2 μg (0%) |
| Niacin (vit. B3) | 1 mg (7%) |
| Folate (vit. B9) | 437 μg (109%) |
| Calcium | 45 mg (5%) |
| Iron | 4 mg (31%) |
| Magnesium | 166 mg (47%) |
| Phosphorus | 318 mg (45%) |
| Potassium | 846 mg (18%) |
| Sodium | 64 mg (4%) |
| Zinc | 2 mg (21%) |
| Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database | |
Gram flour, also known as garbanzo bean flour, chickpea flour, or besan, is a pulse flour made from ground chickpeas. Used in many countries, it is a staple ingredient in Indian, Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi cuisines. Gram flour can be made from either raw chickpeas or roasted chickpeas. The roasted variety is more flavorful, while the raw variety has a slightly bitter taste.[1]
In the form of a paste with water or yogurt, it is also popular as a facial exfoliant in the Indian Subcontinent.[2] When mixed with an equal proportion of water, it can be used as an egg replacer in vegan cooking.[3]
Gram flour contains a high proportion of carbohydrates[4] but no gluten.[5] Despite this, in comparison to other flours, it has a relatively high proportion of protein.[6]
Dishes
In Southern France chickpea flour is used to make the following:
- Cade
- Socca
In other parts of South and Southeast Asia the flour is used to make the following:
- bonda
- boondi
- Laddu
- Kadhi
- Pakoras
- papadums
- Patra
- onion bhajjis
- Bikaneri Bhujia
- Burmese tofu
- Dhokla
- Mysore pak
- jidou liangfen
In Andhra Pradesh, chick pea flour is used in a curry made of cakes of gram flour popularly called Senaga Pindi Kura (Telugu: శెనగ పిండి కూర)and is had with Chapati or Puri, mostly during winters in breakfast.[7]
It is used in Italian cuisine to make farinata, in French cuisine to make socca and in the cuisine of Cadiz in Southern Spain to make tortillitas de camarones.
If parboiled potatoes are rolled in the flour prior to roasting they take on a golden colour and a crisp texture.
Cade (also known as Socca), a thin pancake made with gram flour batter, cooked in a pizza oven, is a popular street and fast food in Southern France in the cities of Toulon and Nice.
Chila (or chilla), a pancake made with gram flour batter, is a popular street and fast food in India.
See also
- Oralu kallu, a type of grinding machine using stone to produce flour in some parts of India
Notes
- ↑ Marks, Gil (2010). Encyclopedia of Jewish Food. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley. pp. 121–122. ISBN 0470391308.
- ↑ "What is gram flour?". Blurtit.com. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
- ↑ The Vegan Society. "Egg Substitutes". Vegansociety.com. Retrieved 2009-12-31.
- ↑ "Chickpea flour (besan)". Nutrition Data: Nutrition Facts and Calorie Counter. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
- ↑ "Grains and Flours Glossary: Besan". Celiac Sprue Association. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
- ↑ "Chickpea flour (besan)". Nutrition Data: Nutrition Facts and Calorie Counter. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
- ↑ http://www.andhrakitchen.com/showrecipe.php?id=1119