Stuffed Chatamari (Nepali Stuffed Rice Crepes)

Submitted by Tulsi Regmi

"This is an excellent savory appetizer made of rice pancakes and stuffed with or without vegetarian or non-vegetarian mixture. Original recipe does not normally call for soaked lentils, but the addition thatof takes this preparation to another level."

 

• Ready In: 1hr
• Ingredients: 19
• Serves: 5

ingredients

• For Pancake

• 2 cups long-grain rice
• 1 cup black lentils (black dal)
• 1 cup moong lentils (moong dal)
• 2 tablespoons ginger, roughly chopped
• 2 green chilies, roughly chopped
• salt
• 1 cup water (more as required)
• 2 tablespoons oil
• clarified butter

• For Stuffing

• 1⁄2 lb minced chicken (lamb can be used)
• 1 cup finely dices red bell pepper
• 1 cup finely diced celery
• 1 cup finely chopped scallion
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 2 fresh green chilies, minced
• 1⁄2 cup fresh tomato, finely chopped
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil

directions

1. For rice crepes, soak rice and the lentils in water overnight.
2. Rinse the soaked rice and lentils mixture thoroughly.
3. In a blender, combine the soaked rice and lentil mixture, ginger and chilies, and water to form a smooth batter-like paste.
4. Pour into a large mixing bowl; add salt to taste; mix thoroughly.
5. You may need to add more water if necessary to achieve the consistency similar to crepe mixture.
6. Let the batter rest for at least six hours in the refrigerator.
7. To prepare rice crepes, in a non-stick frying pan heat a tablespoon of clarified butter over medium-low heat.
8. Pour in some batter and spread out into a paper-thin crepe.
9. Cook until the bottom has crisped up; turn over and cook the other side.
10. Remove the cooked crepe and reserve in a container with tight lid.
11. Repeat with the remaining batter.
12. For stuffing, heat oil in a non-stick sauté pan; fry garlic and ginger until light brown.
13. Put in minced meat, salt and pepper.
14. Brown the meat and add chopped bell pepper, celery, minced chilies, chopped tomatoes, and chopped scallion.
15. Stir in for a few of minutes in low heat until all ingredients are cooked.
16. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
17. Reserve in a large plate to cool.
18. On a large plate, put a rice crepe and brush on lightly with some clarified butter.
19. Place one and half tablespoons of stuffing mixture in the middle of the crepe and spread out across the middle.
20. Fold one edge over the mixture and roll up.
21. Repeat with the other pancakes.
22. Arrange them in a large plate, topped with achar to serve.