Bafauri
Veg
Vegan
Steamed chana dal dumplings — soaked and coarsely ground split chickpea batter mixed with ginger, green chilli, cumin, and mustard seeds, shaped into small rounds and steamed until firm and protein-dense. The defining Chhattisgarhi snack, eaten at breakfast and as an evening snack with thechwaa chutney. Light, oil-free, and deeply satisfying.
Cuisines
Chhattisgarhi
Best for
Breakfast
Snacks
Build a full meal around Bafauri
Get a matched combo of sides and accents
Recipe
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 20 min
Total: 40 min
2-3 servings
Ingredients
|
1 cup | Chana dal |
|
1 medium | Onion , finely chopped |
|
2 cloves | Garlic , minced |
|
1 inch | Ginger , grated |
|
2 pieces | Chili , finely chopped |
|
1/4 teaspoon | Turmeric powder |
|
1/2 teaspoon | Red chili powder |
|
1/2 teaspoon | Cumin , seeds |
|
1/4 teaspoon | Asafoetida |
|
1 tablespoon | Cilantro , chopped |
|
— | Salt , to taste |
|
— | Banana Leaf , for steaming |
Instructions
- 1 Wash the chana dal thoroughly and soak it in water for about 2 hours.
- 2 Drain the soaked dal and grind it coarsely without adding water.
- 3 In a mixing bowl, combine the ground dal with chopped onion, garlic, ginger, green chilies, turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin seeds, asafoetida, and salt.
- 4 Mix everything well and shape the mixture into small, flat discs or oval shapes.
- 5 Prepare a steamer and line it with banana leaves or parchment paper.
- 6 Place the shaped bafauri on the lined steamer tray, ensuring they are not touching each other.
- 7 Steam the bafauri for about 15-20 minutes or until they are cooked through and firm.
- 8 Once done, remove them from the steamer and let them cool slightly before serving.
- 9 Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve warm.
Tips
For a more aromatic flavor, you can add a pinch of garam masala to the mixture before shaping the bafauri.