Northern Indian Egg Curry | Anda Masala

Ingredients

• 4 or 5 large or extra-large eggs, (steamed or boiled for 8 to 10 minutes )
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 rounded teaspoon cumin seed
• 180 to 225 g | 1 medium yellow onion, (finely chopped (1 cup))
• 7.5 cm | 3-inch cinnamon stick, (broken in half)
• 2 rounded teaspoons ground coriander or coriander seed, (toasted and pounded)
• 1/2 plus 1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
• 1/2 plus 1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 2 large garlic cloves, (thinly sliced)
• About 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large ripe tomatoes, (grated (about 1 1/2 cups | 360ml))
• 180 ml | 3/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped cilantro leaves

Instructions

1. 1

   Peel the eggs and let them soak in water to cover while you prepare the sauce. This soaking seems to prevent the whites from getting too rubbery. Set aside.

2. 2

   In a medium skillet or wide, shallow pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the cumin seed and cook, stirring, for about 15 seconds, until slightly darkened and fragrant. Add the onion and cinnamon. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes, until the onion has taken on a bit of brown.

3. 3

   Add the coriander, red pepper flakes, turmeric, garlic, and salt. Continue cooking for about 2 minutes, until the garlic has lightly fried and aromatic. Lower the heat as needed to coax the cooking. Add the tomato and cooking for about 5 minutes, stirring, until it no longer smells raw and slightly thickened. Add the water, bring to a boil. Lower the heat to low, cover with a slight vent, and gently simmer for 5 minutes to develop the flavor.

4. 4

   Meanwhile, drain the eggs, pat them dry, then halved each lengthwise. When the sauce has finished simmering, uncover and slide the eggs in, cut side up. Increase the heat to medium-low and simmer the eggs, spooning a little sauce on the top, until the eggs are hot. Adjust the heat as necessary. The sauce should cook down and thicken a bit during this final stage.

5. 5

   Transfer the eggs and sauce to individual serving dishes or a communal dish. Garnish with the cilantro and serve immediately.