Chattisgarh, popularly known as the ‘Rice Bowl of India’, has created its unique place in the heart of food critics. Its soulful delicacies reflect its culture and also an influence of its neighbors. Its staple food is jawar, bajra, and rice and you will find a rich amalgamation of these and spices in their food. If you are a person whose tastebuds can be soothed only by spicy food, then you would fall in love with the food culture of Chattisgarh. 

What is Bafauri?

Bafauri is a very light and simple snack, whose recipes you can learn from about every mother in Chattisgarh’s household. It is made from onions, chana dal, and spices. It is mostly served with chutney. It is considered to be a healthy alternative to pakodas. You can also add seasonal vegetables to make the snack wholesomer and more delicious.

Ingredients-

Last evening, I decided to surprise my family, with one of their favorite snacks and so I thought let’s share this recipe with you. You can use the measurement for serving three people
1/2 cup Chana Dal 1/2 cup finely chopped spring onion 1-2 finely chopped green chili 1/4 cup finely chopped green coriander 1 tablespoon chopped ginger 1 tablespoon oil 1/2 tablespoon carom seeds 1/4 tablespoon baking soda Powdered black pepper to taste 1/2 tablespoon turmeric powder Chili powder to taste Salt to taste Water

Step-By-Step Recipes of Bafauri

To cook Bafauri, you need to soak the chana dal for at least three hours and then you can follow the below-mentioned guide.
Step 1- Drain the excess water from the chana dal and grind it in a food processor or mixer grinder to make a creamy paste.
Step 2- In a bowl, add all the ingredients except water and mix them well.
Step 3- You can also add water to your mix, to get a thicker consistency.
Step 4- Grease the pan of your steamer with some oil and pour the mixer into the pan. You can also add the mixer as a pokarda or idli. 
Step 5- Let it steam for 20 to 30 minutes on a medium flame. Check with a toothpick if the Bafauri is cooked. 
Step 6- Let the snack cool, and then unmould it carefully.
Step 7- Serve it hot with green chutney and your evening snack.

Chef's special tips-

1) You can substitute the green chilies with jalapenos. You can also add kale or spinach to make it healthier. 
2) You can cook Bafauri in any available steamer. You can use an idli cooker or instant pot for the same.
3) You can get creative and design Bafuri in any shape you want, you can make it more attractive for kids.
4) Whether steamed or fried Bafauri would remain fresh in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. You can also make the batter and store it in the refrigerator to use it the next day. If the batter becomes a little watery, you can add some chickpea flour to make it thick. 
Take your family on a trip to Chhatisgarh with this delicious snack and grab some compliments.