Dal Fara | Renu

This recipe holds a special place in my heart as it’s my mum’s recipe, passed down to her by my grandmother. Every time I cook it, I’m transported back to my childhood – it was my favourite tiffin item and a hit among my friends too. Dal Fara is a savoury steamed dish made with a spiced chana dal filling, encased in a soft wheat dough, and lightly fried to perfection. This versatile dish is also called Namkeen Pitha, Main Fara, Bhakosa, Gojha, or Pangojha.

Dal Fara

Method:

1. Preparing the Chana Dal Mixture:
   • Drain the soaked chana dal completely.
   • Blend it with ginger, garlic, green chillies, coriander, cumin, asafoetida, and salt.
   • Add 1–2 tablespoons of water as needed to create a smooth paste. Set aside.
2. Preparing the Dough:
   • In a bowl, mix whole wheat flour with ghee and salt.
   • Knead into a soft dough using room-temperature water.
   • Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.
3. Assembling the Fara:
   • Divide the dough into portions and roll each into a thick puri.
   • Spread 1–2 tablespoons of the chana dal mixture on one half of the puri.
   • Fold the other half over the filling and seal the edges tightly.
4. Boiling the Fara:
   • Fill a large utensil ¾ full with water, add 2 tablespoons of mustard oil, and bring to a boil.
   • Gently place 4–5 fara into the boiling water.
   • Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes. The fara will float to the surface when fully cooked. To double-check, insert a knife; if it comes out clean, the fara is ready.
   • Remove and place in a strainer to cool.
5. Cutting and Frying the Fara:
   • Once cooled, cut the boiled fara into pieces.
   • Heat oil in a pan, sauté green chillies and dried kasuri methi for 30 seconds.
   • Add the fara pieces and cook on medium flame for 6–8 minutes until lightly crispy.
   • Sprinkle with chaat masala and fresh coriander. Serve hot with green chutney.
6. Preparing the Green Chutney:
   • Blend tomatoes, coriander leaves, mint leaves, green chillies, ginger, garlic, cumin, and salt until smooth.
   • Adjust seasoning to taste.

Enjoy your delicious Dal Fara with the refreshing green chutney!

Watch this recipe here – Dal Fara

Renu is a passionate botanist, a mother of two, and a proud Banarasi. She finds joy in preparing wholesome, homemade meals for her family and friends. Her love for cooking led her to experiment with new recipes and personalise them using simple, everyday ingredients.Her culinary efforts have earned her recognition, including being a VIP RAW Community member. Her creations have been proudly featured on platforms like NDTV Foods and ScribeMag, further cementing her reputation as an innovative and passionate cook.

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