Egg Curry

Egg Curry

inspired by this recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes

Yield: 4-6 servings

2 tablespoons sunflower oil
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon green cardamom seeds (or black, in a pinch)
1 large onion, diced
2 teaspoons garlic paste (or finely minced garlic)
1 tablespoon ginger paste (or finely minced ginger with its juices)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon garam masala, divided usage
1 teaspoon curry powder, divided usage (your choice, mild sweet or hot)
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
2 (15 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
6 hard-boiled eggs, cooled and peeled
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
additional salt, to taste

1. Heat the oil in a 5 qt dutch over or stock pot over medium until shimmering. Add the mustard and cardamom seeds. Heat until the mustard seeds begin to snap, crackle and pop (a few minutes). Add the onions and saute until soft and glassy (5 to 8 minutes). Add the garlic and ginger, stirring well into the onions and heating until the garlic becomes fragrant, about 1 minute.

2. Add the tomato paste and 1/2 teaspoon each of the garam masala, curry, coriander, cumin, chili powders and salt, plus the 1/4 teaspoon cayenne. Stir all ingredients very well, and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until the spices give off fragrance. Add 1 can of crushed tomatoes to deglaze the pan, mixing well. Add the remaining can of tomatoes. Bring tomato mixture to a gentle boil then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until the oil begins to form puddles in the tomato sauce, 15 to 20 minutes.

3. Slice the eggs in half vertically. Remove the yolks from 4 of the halves and stir them into the tomato curry. Smash them against the side of the pot with a spoon and mix well. Cook for 5 minutes. The tomato curry should be rich and thick. Reduce heat to low and stir in the coconut milk, 1/2 teaspoon garam masala, 1/2 teaspoon curry powder and cilantro. Taste for salt and add more if necessary.

4. Add the remaining eggs, gently mixing them into the tomato curry (gently enough to avoid dislodging the yolks from their halves). Allow curry to rest over low heat for 5 minutes. Serve over basmati rice or pearl couscous.