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Yomari is a Newari dish that is consumed in Nepal during the Yomari Punhi festival. According to the Nepal Era Calendar, it marks the month of Poush, which occurs with Purnima, a day with a full moon. Another name for it is Ya-Mari. 'Mari' indicates delicacy, and 'Ya' signifies like. In addition, it is made for baby showers and birthday celebrations. It is also a famous Nepalese food.
Yomari, which is basically prepared from rice flour, has been filled with different nuts, coconut and jaggery, and hence, it provides the eaters with different tastes and also a crunchy feel. The dish's simplicity is enhanced by the extensive use of fresh ingredients and sparing amounts of spices, which let the contents' inherent sweetness show through. Yomari perfectly captures the essence of homemade sweetness, whether it is consumed as a treat during festivities or as a warm snack in the winter.
Ingredients
For the Outer Covering
- 400g rice flour
- 50g all-purpose flour
- Salt to taste
- Warm water for kneading
For the Sweet Filling
- Jaggery (as per taste)
- ½ cup coconut pieces
- ¼ cup dates
- A handful of mixed nuts
- 2 teaspoons black sesame seeds
Steps Of Cooking
Dough Preparation
Making the dough is the first step in creating Yomari. Add 400g rice flour and 50g all-purpose flour into a mixing bowl and start to mix the two together. Add a pinch of salt to the dry ingredients and stir completely. While kneading the mixture, gradually add warm water until a smooth and malleable dough forms. After the mix has been kneaded well, place it in a bowl and cover it with a wet cloth for around fifteen to twenty min. You can make the sweet filling while the dough is resting. Put the dough aside and concentrate on making the flavourful filling for your Yomari, making sure that every mouthful is packed with flavour.
Filling Preparation
Gathering your ingredients—jaggery, dates, coconut bits, and a variety of nuts—is the first step in making the filling. Grate about 1 cup of coconut and put it in a bowl for mixing. If you prefer the filling to be more savoury, alter the spices or add shredded cheese according to your taste. To make it easier to incorporate the dates and nuts into the filling, chop them into small pieces. Then, in a small bowl, place the grated coconut and half a cup of jaggery and heat the mixture over low flame. Gently stir until the coconut and jaggery melt and combine to produce a sticky, sweet mixture. Stir continuously until all the ingredients are well incorporated, then add the chopped dates and nuts. After the filling is finished, turn off the heat and let it cool a little.
Shaping And Steaming
Now that the dough and filling are prepared, the Yomari may be put together. Roll a little bit of the dough into a ball around the size of a golf ball to start. Using your fingers, gently flatten the ball into a disc shape, forming a tiny "bowl" to hold the filling. Put a small amount of the prepared filling in the disc's middle. To produce a sealed dumpling, carefully fold the edges over the filling and pinch them together. To prevent steam from escaping during cooking, make sure there are no openings. Once all of the Yomari have been moulded, fill a steamer with water and bring it to a mild boil. Make sure to spread out the dumplings in the steamer so that there is enough space for air to circulate. Cover and steam for 15 to 20 minutes or until the dough is slightly puffed and transparent.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Serving And Enjoying
After the yogi are perfectly steamed, carefully take them out of the steamer and allow them to cool for a short while. They are best eaten warm, and for added richness, you may serve them plain or with a drizzle of melted ghee. Yomari can be served as a home-baked dessert at family or winter celebrations, or as a tasty supper treat. Try experimenting with different fillings as well, suchas adding cardamom for warmth or grated orange zest for a citrus flavour.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
You can simply make this delicious dessert in your own kitchen by following the instructions. This winter, embrace the essence of Nepalese customs and fill your house and heart with the delicious goodness of yoghurt.
