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Beginners Guide => Trainee Chefs / Beginners Questions => Topic started by: Tartan_Terrier on May 26, 2007, 10:54 AM

Title: What can I use instead of gram flour?
Post by: Tartan_Terrier on May 26, 2007, 10:54 AM

Hi guys,
Living in Denmark as I do, I find it difficult to find all the necessary ingredients for some of the recipes on here. This is a bit annoying as I'd really like to give some of them a go.

Today's problem is that I can't get hold of gram flour. I've been to every 'ethnic' store within 10 miles and can't find any. Which kind of flour(if any) can I use instead (I'm trying to make pakora)?

Cheers
T_T

Title: Re: Substitute for gram flour?
Post by: Cory Ander on May 26, 2007, 11:10 AM

Hello TT,

Welcome to cr0 TT  8)

Gram flour (or "besan") is simply ground chana dhal (or chick peas, split-peas or lentils).  You can undoubtedly get chana dhal, chick peas or lentils (red or yellow) there?  If they don't sell them as a flour, try grinding whole, dried, versions into a flour in a coffee grinder or spice mill?

Regards,

Title: Re: Substitute for gram flour?
Post by: Tartan_Terrier on May 26, 2007, 11:24 AM

Is that it? Brilliant, I'll give it a go.
Thanks very much!

T_T

Title: Re: Substitute for gram flour?
Post by: Tartan_Terrier on May 27, 2007, 01:29 PM

Well I gave it a go last night. After nearly burning out two hand blenders (I swapped back and forth as the one in use started to smoke, lucky we've got two!), I ended up with about 100 grams of flour. I mixed it with normal flour (about 3-1) and got a reasonable result though.

I'll have to try another method next time. Perhaps a coffee grinder as you suggested.

Regards
T_T

Title: Re: Substitute for gram flour?
Post by: Cory Ander on May 27, 2007, 01:39 PM

.....or maybe use a pestle and mortar TT?

The other suggestion is to try a health shop?  You may be able to find gram-flour (or a similar pulse type flour) there?

Title: Re: Substitute for gram flour?
Post by: marcandsusan on July 07, 2007, 11:57 AM

 :)hi there
you can also do a web search in your area for delivery or maybe import some. i know a little more expensive this way but just a thought
marc and susan