Fara a traditional recipe from Varanasi is healthy as it is steamed. Fara can be made salty, sweet, plain or stuffed.
This traditional Indian recipe is cooked like the traditional ravioli of Italy.
Fara recipe - How to make Fara
For the outer rice covering- Combine water, salt and oil in a kadhai, add the rice flour gradually, while stirring continuously, mix well to , cover with a lid and let it cook for 2 minutes.Take it off the flame and keep aside covered for 5 minutes.
- Remove the dough like rice mixture from the kadhai and knead well, add some rice flour if the dough is moist and sticky and if the dough is stiff add a little hot water.
- Grease your hands with a little oil and knead to a smooth and pliable dough.
- Cover the dough with a moist cloth and let it rest for 15 minutes.
- In broad pan add enough water and bring to a boil.
For the plain fara.- Divide the rice flour dough into small balls and add to the boiling water.Once the faras are cooked they will float, drain and cut into halves.
How to proceed- Heat oil in a pan, add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds, when the seeds crackle add the curry leaves and asafoetida.
- Add the fara to the tempering and season it with salt, lemon juice and sugar.
- Serve immediately.
For the stuffed fara- Divide the rice flour dough into small balls and roll them into a 3" diameter circles, place a little the chana dal mixture on the circle and fold them into halves to form a semicircle.Seal the edges well.
- Slowly add the dumplings to the boiling water.Once the faras are cooked they will float up, drain them out and keep aside.
How to proceed- Heat oil in a pan, add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds, when the seeds crackle add the curry leaves and asafoetida.
- Add the stuffed fara to the tempering and season it with salt, lemon juice and sugar.
- Garnish with chopped coriander and serve immediately with chutney and a cup of hot tea.
Handy tip- The fara can also be stuffed with vegetables or chana dal and vegetable mixture or with dry fruits.