Maas ko Baara, Woh (Lentil Patties)

Maas ko Baara, Woh - (मास को बारा, वोह)(Celebrating the spring with savory Newari Woh or Baara)

Maas ko Baara or Woh in |Newari language| is made from ground split Urad Beans (kaalo maas ko daal).  Lentil Patties are light and spongy daal patties that resemble small flat pancakes.  Traditionally, the batter is ground on a stone slab and roller (silouto), giving a smooth and fluffy consistency, but grinding in a food processor or blender produces similar results.  Maas ko Baara is best served fresh, but can be stored overnight.

The following savory recipe is from Deepa Pradhan's kitchen, who is sharing her Newari culinary passion by showing me how to create Woh.  This version is cooked with soaked and ground split black Urad beans (kaalo Maas ko daal) and ground meat, along with ginger, garlic and other spices.  Ground meat adds a unique flavor to this lentil patties.  Woh is made similar to Baara, the difference is Baara is deep-fried, whereas Woh is pan-fried with only small amounts of oil, making it a relatively healthier version.  The lentil patties is delicious on its own, but serving with other dishes makes a wonderful lunch or snack. 

Baaras are also associated with religious and ceremonial occasions.  During the ten days of the Vijaya Dashami festival, meatless Baaras are prepared each morning, and are offered to the deities as sacred offerings (navedya).  They are also distributed among friends and families and consumed as a blessed food (prashad).

Preparation time: 30

Cooking time: 20

Ingredients:

• 250gm Skinned Black Lentils,
• 1 Ltr Water to Soak,
• 1 Tsp Turmeric powder,
• 1 Tsp Coriander Powder,
• 1 medium size potato,
• 4 medium size florets of Cauliflower,
• 1 tsp Fresh Coriander(finely chopped),
• ½ tsp Garlic,
• A quarter of a medium Red onion,
• Salt to taste,
• Oil for sealing

Method

1.  Soak the lentil for at least 2 hours or until it softens.
2.  Then blend the lentil in pulses in the food processor until coarse texture
   (over-blending results in floury texture) .
3.  Set the lentil aside in a bowl and and finely chop coriander, potato, cauliflower and red onion and then mix them with the lentil along with the salt, turmeric and coriander powder.
   then set aside to rest about half an hour
4. After the paste is ready, heat oil in a non-stick pan and seal the lentil patties before putting them on a paper lined oven tray ready for the oven.
5.  When all the patties are sealed put them in the pre-heated oven (250 C) for about 10-15 minutes and they are firm and cooked through.

Additional information/tips

As the Bara is served either with TOMATO, CUMIN AND MUSTARD SAUCE OR MEAT ORIENTED SAUCE. WE ARE DOING RECIPES for both the sauces:

Tomato, Cumin and Mustard Sauce

Ingredients:

• 200 g Tomato
• 15ml Oil
• ¼ tsp Mustard seed (yellow)
• ¼ tsp Cumin seed
• Salt to taste
• 4-6 leaves Mint

Method: 

1. Heat oil in a little pan and add mustard seed and cumin seed and cook till dark brown.
2. Add the tomato to the pan and add salt as well
3. Leave them to cook until tomatoes cook.
4. After that leave them to cool down and then blend it with the mint leaves and the sauce is ready to be served

Chicken and Chickpea Sauce

Ingredients:

• 100 ml Chicken Stock
• 20gm Chickpeas cooked
• Salt To taste
• Pepper To taste
• ¼ tsp Turmeric Powder
• ¼ onion finely chopped
• ¼ tsp Garlic
• 15ml Oil
• ¼ tsp Fennel Seed

Method: 

1. Heat oil in a pan and add fennel seed and cook until golden brown.
2. Then add onion and garlic together and cook until they sweat. Add the turmeric, pepper and salt after sweating and then add chickpeas
3. Finally add chicken stock and reduce it by 3 quarters.
4. Finally blend the sauce with chickpeas and it will be ready to go with the Bara.

Above right, a plate full of Newari Woh with Nepal's signature dish,  "Saandheko ko Alu"  a bold flavored potato salad blended with vibrant seasonings including fresh ginger-garlic, green chilies, cilantro, red onion, szechwan pepper, mustard oil and tempered with fenugreek seeds (methi le jhaaneko). Another favorite side dish (front) is pork chowela, which is grilled meat, cut into bite-sized pieces, and combined with several fresh herbs and spices and tempered with whole spices and oil.   

 Deepa prefers to make her Woh with Split Green Moong Beans (khoste mung ko daal) and ground chicken breast for lighter version.  Let me share her version of the classic lentil patties. Let's get started!

To make lentil patties, you will need the following ingredients: 2 cups split black urad beans, 3/4 pound ground chicken or turkey, salt to taste, 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, a small pinch of asafetida, 2 finely chopped fresh mild green chilies, 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro and 1 cup oil. You know that this will be easy to make recipe by seeing the ingredient lists.

In a large bowl, wash and soak beans for at least 6 hours or overnight, until doubled in volume.

Rub the beans between your hands vigorously to loosen the outer black skins.  The coating will come off easily and float in the water.  Drain. Add fresh water, and rub again until most of the coatings are removed.  Place the drained beans in the blender or food processor, adding just enough water to make a semi-thick smooth puree.

Place the batter in a bowl and add all the above ingredients and whisk until it is light and spongy.  Cover the bowl and allow the mixture to rest at room temperature for at least 10 minutes.

When ready, heat a non-stick skillet and add 1 tablespoon of oil.  Pour 1/2 cup daal mixture slowly.  Moving with the back of the spoon in a gentle circular motion, lightly spread the batter evenly into circles.  Place 2-3 patties at a time, without crowding.  

Cook until the edges start to crisp and the underside starts to brown.  Turn the Woh over and drizzle 1 teaspoon of oil around the edges and top.  Cook until browned both sides. 

Transfer to a serving dish and keep warm until served. Here is more protein to your diet......enjoy delicious, hearty Woh patties - स्वादिष्ट खाना  Bon appétit!

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