Eggs on Papdi (Flat Beans with Meat)
This traditional Parsi winter dish combines tender flat beans (papdi) and succulent cubes of meat into a rich, savory stew cooked in aromatic ghee. The dish is uniquely finished by steaming fresh eggs directly on top of the spiced vegetable mixture, allowing the yolks to remain creamy while the whites set into the flavorful base. A touch of Worcestershire sauce adds a distinct tangy depth that complements the earthy beans and rich meat, creating a comforting and complete one-pot meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Surti Papdi (Flat Beans) (Very tender/young beans selected. Originally '1/2 seer'.)
- 1/2 pound Lamb or Chicken breast (Boneless, cut into small cubes. Quantity estimated based on bean ratio.)
- 3 tablespoons Ghee (Quantity estimated for sautéing.)
- 1 teaspoon Ginger paste (Quantity estimated (standard Parsi seasoning).)
- 2 whole Green chilies (Finely chopped. Quantity estimated.)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (Or to taste. Quantity estimated.)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (Originally 'Velati sauce'. Adjust to taste for sourness.)
- 4 whole Eggs (Originally '3 to 4 eggs'.)
- 1/2 cup Water (Quantity estimated for cooking meat and beans.)
Instructions
- 1Wash the papdi (flat beans) thoroughly. String them and split them open, ensuring you select very tender, small beans. Cut the meat (lamb or chicken) into small, bite-sized cubes.
- 2In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the ghee over medium heat. Add the ginger paste and green chilies, sautéing briefly. Add the meat and the prepared papdi. Sauté everything together until the beans glisten and the meat changes color.
- 3Add the salt and water. Cover the pot and cook on low-medium heat until both the meat and the papdi are completely tender and the water has mostly evaporated. The mixture should be moist but not soupy.
- 4Stir in the Worcestershire sauce for acidity. Flatten the surface of the cooked mixture with a spoon. Make 4 small indentations (wells) in the mixture and carefully crack an egg into each indentation. Do not add any other vegetables or whole garlic at this stage.
- 5Cover the pot tightly and cook on very low heat for about 5-8 minutes, or until the egg whites are fully set and opaque, but the yolks are cooked to your preference (soft or hard). Serve hot immediately.
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