Spicy Egg Masala

When its the end of the week and there’s nothing that I could find in the refrigerator, I’m sure most of you rely on eggs just like me 🙂 . That’s one thing surely available in the pantry for quick-fix days when I run out of all other options. Browsing through my recipe file, I realised I have’nt blogged this favorite egg recipe so far. It could be served as an appetizer with sliced red onions and lemon wedges on the side or eat it along with hot rice and dal, no matter what you choose the taste is delicious. Now, to the recipe…..

Ingredients:

5 Eggs

1 cup of chopped onions (about 1 Large Onion)

1 Medium tomato – chopped

10-12 fresh curry leaves

½ tsp shahi jeera

5 Cloves (lavangalu)

1″ Cinnamon stick (dalchini)

½ tbsp whole coriander seeds (dhaniyalu)

3-4 pepper corns (reduce to suit your spice levels)

2-3 tbsps cashew nuts

¼ tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp red chill powder

½ tsp ginger & garlic paste

3 tbsps cooking oil

Freshly chopped cilantro for garnish.

Salt to taste

Preparation:

• Bring water to boil in a deep sauce pan and slowly place the raw eggs with a slotted spoon. Allow to cook for about 10-12 mts. Turn off the stove. Let it cool until you can handle. Peel off the shell and set the boiled eggs aside.
• Alternatively you can place the raw eggs in a pressure cooker with a cup of water and cook for 1 whistle. Allow the pressure to go off, remove the lid and when cool enough to handle peel the shell off.

How To:

• Heat 2 tbsps oil in a pan, and on medium flame add curry leaves. Let it splutter then add shahi jeera, cloves, cinnamon, coriander seeds, pepper corns and cashew nuts. Fry them for about 2 mts or until the cashews start turning golden brown. Take care not to burn the spices. Adjust the flame according to your stove.
• Add chopped onions, salt and turmeric powder. Fry until the onions turn golden brown and soft (about 8 – 10 mts on medium flame)
• Add ginger & garlic paste, chopped tomatoes and cook covered for about 3-4 mts until the tomatoes turn soft. Add chilli powder and combine. Turn off the flame and allow to cool then grind into paste without adding any water.
• Now take the eggs, add a pinch of turmeric and apply on all of them then make a slit on the top of each egg just like you do for gutti vankaya (brinjal curry) recipe (4 cuts on the top). Arrange them all on a plate then gently using your fingers stuff the paste inside each egg as much as you can. Set aside the remaining paste.
• Heat remaining oil in a pan, and gently slide in the stuffed eggs into the pan. Add remaining paste if any and allow the eggs to fry on medium heat until the eggs start browning or turning crispy on the outside. Adjust salt if required. Add freshly chopped coriander leaves just before turning off the flame.
• Serve it with hot rice and dal or as an appetizer with sliced red onions and lemon wedges.