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South Indian egg curry table scene from the front.
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4.91 from 11 votes

South Indian egg curry

Indian restaurant egg curry is loaded with big south Indian flavours.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: egg curry, south indian egg curry
Servings: 2
Calories: 524kcal
Author: romain | glebekitchen

Ingredients

The spice mix

  • 2 tsp indian restaurant spice mix or curry powder - recipe link below
  • 1/2 tsp kashmiri chili powder or 1/4 tsp cayenne mixed with 3/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt

The curry ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp oil
  • 3 cardamom pods (green)
  • 2" cinnamon stick cassia bark
  • 1/2 tsp mustard seed
  • 1/4 tsp cumin seed
  • 1 Tbsp garlic/ginger paste - recipe link below
  • 2 green chilies - cut in half lengthwise and then into 3/4 inch pieces. Seed the chilies to tame the fire a bit.
  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste with enough water to dilute to the consistency of pasatta
  • 15 oz curry base
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 12-15 curry leaves fresh, not dried. If you can't get them fresh leave them out.
  • 2 tbsp tomato diced
  • 1 green chili diced
  • 4 eggs hard-boiled

Instructions

Prepare the eggs

  • Place the eggs in a saucepan. Add enough water to cover the eggs by one inch (so the highest point on the eggs is one one inch under water).
  • Place the saucepan over medium high heat and bring to a boil. As soon as it comes to a boil move it off heat and cover the pan. Set a timer for 9 minutes.
  • While the timer counts down prepare an ice bath. Add a bunch of ice and water to a large bowl. It will need to hold the eggs fully submerged so pick the right bowl.
  • When the timer goes off, drain the eggs and place them in the ice bath. Leave them there until they are cold. This takes around 10 minutes.
  • Peel the eggs. Slice them in half right before you start making the curry.

South Indian egg curry

  • Make the spice mix.
  • Dilute the tomato paste with enough water to get to the consistency of passata.
  • Heat your frying pan (don't use non-stick) briefly over medium heat. Add the oil. Use all the oil specified. It's important.
  • When the oil starts to shimmer add the cardamom and cinnamon stick. Cook until little bubbles form. This takes 20-30 seconds.
  • Now add the mustard and cumin seed. Stir and cook until the seeds start to crackle. This takes another 20 seconds or so.
  • Add the garlic ginger paste and green chilies to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, until the paste stops sputtering.
  • Turn down the heat and add the spice mix. This is the critical step. Stir it constantly for 30 seconds. If it starts to darken lift the pan off the heat. You want the spice mix to cook in the oil but not burn.
  • Turn the heat up to medium high. Add the diluted tomato paste and stir until bubbles form (the oil will likely separate). This takes around 30 seconds to one minute depending on the heat.
  • Add 3 oz of curry base. Stir until bubbles form (little craters really), around 30 seconds. Watch the edges of the pan. The curry can stick here.
  • Now add 6 oz of curry base and stir briefly. Let it cook until the bubbles form again. This takes 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the rest of the curry base and let cook until the bubbles form. Turn the heat down to low. Add the coconut milk and stir.
  • Mix in the curry leaves and remaining diced green chili. Simmer for about 3-4 minutes.
  • Add the diced tomatoes. Stir to combine. Add the eggs and cook until the eggs are just warmed through.
  • Serve with rice or parathas or chapatis or naan.

Notes

The recipe for curry base is here.
The recipe for indian restaurant spice mix is here
The recipe for garlic ginger paste is here.
If you haven't read about Indian restaurant technique yet, do that before you start cooking.
Have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go.
If you are making multiple curries, have your curry base warming in a pot on the stove. If you are just making one, microwave it to warm it up right before you start cooking.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 2servings | Calories: 524kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 327mg | Sodium: 1193mg | Potassium: 556mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1145IU | Vitamin C: 133.1mg | Calcium: 140mg | Iron: 5.2mg