Ingredients
Method
- Make a few shallow slits in each egg. Fry them in 1 tbsp oil with the turmeric until lightly golden. Remove.
- Add the rest of the oil, the cumin and bay leaf, then the onions, and cook until golden.
- Add ginger-garlic paste, tomato and powdered spices and cook until the oil separates.
- Add water and salt and simmer for 5 minutes, then add the eggs and simmer 5 more. Serve with rice or roti.
The spices that matter
The most common first spice in a tadka: crackle the seeds in hot oil or ghee before adding onions, dal or vegetables. Roasted and ground, it goes int…
No cumin? Caraway or shahi jeera are the closest whole-seed swaps. For ground cumin, use a little extra ground coriander with a pinch of chilli.
A pinch goes into almost every dal, sabzi and curry, usually with the onions or straight into the dal as it boils. Fresh turmeric root is pickled in …
No turmeric? There is no real substitute for flavour. For colour only, a tiny pinch of saffron or Kashmiri chilli changes the shade, but not the taste.
Ground coriander is the bulk of most curry bases, often used in larger quantities than any other spice. Whole seeds are roasted for sambar, rasam and…
No coriander seed? A mix of a little cumin and a pinch of fennel gives a similar warmth. Fresh coriander leaves are a different flavour and not a substitute.
Adds heat to curries, dals, marinades and snacks. Most kitchens keep a hot powder for heat and Kashmiri chilli for colour.
No red chilli powder? Cayenne pepper is the closest swap. Mix with Kashmiri chilli or paprika to get colour with less heat.
Nice to have
The blend to use
Garam masala (Punjabi style): The best-known Indian spice mix: warm, aromatic and only mildly hot. Every household has its own version; this one is a classic Punjabi-sty…
Salt, oil or ghee, onions, ginger, garlic and fresh herbs are assumed. See how to make a tadka for the order to add whole spices.
Dishes with similar spices
Frequently asked questions
How long does egg curry take to make?
About 10 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
What spices are in egg curry?
The essentials are cumin, turmeric, coriander seed, red chilli powder. Nice to have: indian bay leaf.
Tips from travellers
Use Egg curry differently at home? Share your tip. The first good one goes right here.