Fara-Indian Lentil Dumplings for #Diwali : Soni's Food

I’ve got for you a traditional appetizer/breakfast item that has also been mom’s signature dish. It’s called Fara and its the North Indian answer to dumplings that’s so popular across the globe. Mom’s world famous Fara has been one of her most coveted recipes and I’ve had the pleasure of devouring it on numerous occasions such as Diwali and Dusshera among other festivals throughout my childhood and even now when I visit her in India. With Diwali around the corner this seemed like a perfect appetizer recipe to be shared here.

Fara is a special delicacy from the state of UP in India and depending on the region, its made using either rice flour or regular whole wheat flour.Mom uses whole wheat flour and it’s to die for!The dumplings have a delicious split pea lentil (chana dal) filling and the dough is just a regular chapati dough. The lentils have to be soaked for at least 4 hrs. or overnight and ground to a paste with ginger, garlic, cumin and cilantro. The dough is stuffed with the lentil filling and boiled in ample water for a few minutes. Once cool enough they’re cut into small pieces and pan fried with caraway seeds and curry leaves. Its certainly a special food item to serve your guests and you’ll get rave reviews each time because its so unique.

It does involve some extra effort as all special family recipes do but the result is worth it. Each bite has layers of different flavors. The caraway seeds and curry leaves add an earthy aromatic flavor to the fara and as you bite into the crisp exterior the flavors from the lentils combined with ginger, garlic and cumin come through. It’s pure joy and you just cannot stop at one! The good part is that it can be made ahead and frozen. Just thaw and pan fry when you need it.Its best served with some green chutney on the side. It’s also super healthy and packed with protein, vitamins and fiber making it a nutritious and wholesome dish.Make it this Diwali and impress your guests!