Farha

Farha

Farha

Veg Vegan

Steamed rice flour dumplings — rice flour dough shaped into thick cylinders or half-moon parcels stuffed with a spiced moong or chana dal filling, then steamed until cooked through. Also called phara or pittha in local dialects. Eaten as a light meal with chutney, a staple of rural Chhattisgarhi households.

Cuisines

Chhattisgarhi Bihari Jharkhand

Best for

Breakfast Lunch

Recipe

Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Total: 60 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

1 cup basmati rice
1/2 cup split green gram (moong dal)
3 cups water
1 tablespoon ghee
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 pinch asafoetida
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon red chili powder
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 small tomato, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves, chopped
— salt to taste

Instructions

  1. 1 Wash and soak the basmati rice and split green gram (moong dal) together in water for 30 minutes.
  2. 2 Heat ghee in a pressure cooker over medium heat.
  3. 3 Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds, allowing them to splutter.
  4. 4 Add a pinch of asafoetida, followed by the chopped onion, and sauté until the onion turns golden brown.
  5. 5 Stir in the chopped tomato and cook until it becomes soft.
  6. 6 Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt to taste, mixing well.
  7. 7 Drain the soaked rice and dal, and add them to the cooker.
  8. 8 Pour in 3 cups of water and stir everything together.
  9. 9 Close the pressure cooker with its lid and cook on medium heat for 2 whistles.
  10. 10 Let the pressure release naturally, then open the lid and fluff the Farha with a fork.
  11. 11 Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.

Tips

For extra flavour, use whole spices in the oil first.