Bara Black Lentil Patties with Cracked Egg Topping

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-10-11 · Updated 2026-10-11

Crispy, savory Newari pancakes made from soaked black lentils ground with ginger and cumin. A cracked egg on top makes them more filling. This Asian recipe (gluten-free, vegetarian), ready in about 55 minutes, pairs split black lentils (urad dal), skinned, fresh ginger, grated, garlic, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups split black lentils (urad dal), skinned
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 2 green chilies, minced
• 3 scallions, finely chopped
• 6 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup mustard oil or vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup tomato achar (chutney), for serving

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse the lentils and soak them in cold water for at least 6 hours or overnight.
2. Step 2: Drain them, then blend with the ginger, garlic and as little water as possible (2-4 tablespoons) to a thick, smooth batter.
3. Step 3: Whisk the batter by hand for 3-4 minutes to add air. Stir in the cumin, turmeric, green chilies, half the scallions and the salt.
4. Step 4: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Spoon in about 1/3 cup of batter and spread it into a 4-inch round.
5. Step 5: Make a small well in the center and crack an egg into it. Sprinkle with a few scallions.
6. Step 6: Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bottom is golden and crisp, then carefully flip and cook for 1-2 minutes more until the egg is set.
7. Step 7: Repeat with the remaining batter, adding oil as needed.
8. Step 8: Serve hot with tomato achar.