Recipe: Homemade, Dhaba-Style Spicy Curry For A Protein-Rich Meal
35 mins
Cooking Time
Easy
Difficulty
22
Ingredients
Veg
Diet
With modest seating and simple dishes that are loaded with flavour, dhabas (roadside eateries) are a hit with most Indian travellers. So, what do you do when there is no trip in site and you’re craving a dhaba-style egg curry? You follow this egg curry recipe and make it at home. It’s a simple dish to master at home, with a particular focus on using both spice powders and whole spices. It’s not just the use of chillies but rather the mix of spices that gives it the signature flavour. The egg curry, paired with roti or rice, makes for an excellent lunch or dinner option.
Peel off the shells of the boiled eggs. Now, gently prick them with a fork. This makes for better absorption of flavours. Keep aside. Keep a pan with 2 tbsp of oil on medium heat. Now, lightly fry the eggs until they turn golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside. Do not turn off the heat.
Description - Step 2
Step 2: Sauté the whole spices and onions
In the same pan, add the whole spices (cloves, black cardamom, bay leaves, green cardamom, cinnamon, and cumin seeds) and let them sizzle for a few seconds. Now, add the onions, garlic, ginger, and ginger-garlic paste and sauté for 6-8 minutes till the onions become golden brown.
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Step 3: Deglaze the pan
Add the spice powders (turmeric, coriander, red chilli, and garam masala) to the onion base and stir for 30-40 seconds. Now, add a splash of water to prevent the spices from burning and to deglaze the pan (remove browned food residue, if any). This adds flavour to the curry.
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Step 4: Prepare the gravy
Add the tomato puree, salt, and chopped green chillies to the pan. Now, add some more water to bring the mix to a gravy consistency. Cook until the raw tomato smell disappears and the gravy thickens.
Description - Step 5
Step 5: Add the fried eggs
Once the gravy is slightly thickened, slowly add the fried eggs. Lightly stir to coat the eggs in the gravy. Now, cover the pan and let it simmer gently for 5-7 minutes so the eggs absorb the flavours. Now, sprinkle chopped coriander and kasuri methi on top, cover the lid, and let it simmer for another minute or so. Finally, turn off the heat and serve hot.