Egg Curry Version 2

Egg curry is 'go to' dish - simple enough when you want it to be simple. Anagha this one is for you. Make it a dry version and you have a fancy egg masala dish. The onion puree in the recipe is made in a blender using a tiny bit of water. See the Learn the Basics section of my blog for perfect boiled eggs! Never compromise on...cooking the onions, they have to be brown..

6 eggs hardboiled and peeled
1 1/2 cup onion puree
3/4 cup fresh tomato puree
2 TBS tomato paste
3 TBS ginger-garlic paste
5-6 cherry tomatoes or 1 large tomato cut into big pieces
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp salt
4 TBS oil
2 TBS chopped mint leaves
2 TBS chopped coriander leaves

Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan, add the onion puree, cover and let cook till the water evaporates. Then saute on medium heat till brown. Really caramel brown. This step will take at least 15 minutes. Add the tomato puree, tomato paste and the ginger garlic paste. Cook on medium heat till the oil separates from the masala. This step takes another 10-12 minutes. Add the chili powder, salt, tomatoes and the mint leaves. Add water to the prepared masala, to desired consistency. Add the garam masala and mix.
Make a slit in the eggs - lengthwise and place them carefully , cut side down - in the gravy. Sprinkle the coriander leaves and cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes only.

Serve hot with parathas or rice.
You can adjust the thickness of the gravy as per your liking. Instead of boiled eggs, add steamed and fried whole little potatoes or fried chunks of paneer for a change.

Learn the Basics - How to boil an egg

Sounds so simple right? Boil an egg, what could be simpler? It's as simple as boiling water.
But things can go wrong- especially for a new cook.
The perfect boiled egg is with the white done well, the yolk just done- and still bright yellow - no greenish edges - and perfectly peeled.

Always use the freshest eggs you can find. Start with cold tap water. The eggs should be immersed in the water. Add a teaspoon of salt or a splash of vinegar, so if an egg accidentally cracks in the water, the white does not spread. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Turn off the heat and cover and keep the eggs in the water for 10-12 minutes. Then, run cold water in the pot. Take out the eggs and lightly roll them on the counter till the entire shell is cracked, then carefully peel them- under water. Peeling them under water helps to separate the thin membrane that holds the shell to the egg.

Voila! you will have the perfect boiled egg...every single time.

Egg Curry Version 1

By special request from Amruta. Here is egg curry. A simple enough dish - which if done right can be the star.
There are many recipes for this - over the years I tried many of them and discarded some. Took a bit from here..a bit from there and came up with my own version.
Heads up here - this recipe takes time. The onion and tomatoes have to be sauteed just right or the formula fails!

4 eggs hard-boiled
1 cup yellow onion chopped
1 cup tomatoes chopped
1 TBS ginger garlic paste
1 TBS poppy seeds (soaked for about 30 minutes)
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp chili powder (or to taste)
1/2 tsp turmeric
3 TBS oil
1-2 cups of water
salt to taste

Prep:
Blend onion and ginger-garlic paste together to form a smooth puree.
Blend tomatoes and poppy seeds together to a smooth consistency.

Heat oil in a thick bottomed saucepan. Add the onion puree and saute on a low flame, stirring frequently. You need to cook the onion till it turns golden brown and  all the raw smell is gone. This takes over 10 minutes.
Add the tomato and poppy seed puree, garam masala, chili powder and turmeric to the pan and saute till all the liquid evaporates and you see oil bubbles around the mixture in the pan. This takes another 10 minutes.
Once the purees are cooked, lower the heat and stir in a cup of water. You can make this as a thick sauce or a thinner curry, as per your preference. Ensure the base is a smooth consistency and add salt to taste. Slice the eggs length-wise but do not cut them through, just to about 3/4ths of the way. Slide the eggs into the curry, cut side down and gently agitate the pan to coat the eggs.
Garnish with chopped coriander leaves just before serving.

Note:
You can add boiled potatoes with the eggs too. Just make sure you salt the potatoes while boiling.
The poppy seeds add creaminess and thickness to the curry. Remember they will keep absorbing water so please adjust the consistency of the curry accordingly.

Sausage and Peppers

This is a very simple recipe - was taught to me by a friend of my daughter's who was an exchange student from Italy. This is fast and very easy. Quick weeknight dinner.

5 Italian sausages (either hot or sweet variety)
1 red pepper
1 large yellow onion
5-6 cloves of garlic
1/2 tsp chili flakes
1 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes OR
2 cups of plum tomatoes
2 TBS chopped fresh basil leaves
Olive oil
1 TBS butter
2 TBS grated parmesan cheese
1 box of your favourite pasta.
salt

Prep:

Cut the sausages into rounds - about 1/2 inch thick.
Cut the pepper into 1 inch pieces
Slice the onion
Finely chop the garlic or crush it through a garlic press.
cut each tomato into half (if using grape or cherry tomatoes) or chop into big pieces if using regular tomatoes

In a large saucepan heat 1 TBS olive oil and saute the sausages for 4-5 minutes till cooked. Add the peppers and onion and saute for 3-4 minutes till the vegetables start to wilt.
Start the water for the pasta at this point.
Add the chili flakes, garlic and tomatoes and cook the tomatoes.
Add the al dente pasta to the pan, and add about 1/2 cup or so (you may need more) of the pasta water. Cook the pasta with the vegetables and sausage for about a minute or 2.
Saute the pasta with fresh basil leaves, butter and a splash of good olive oil.

Serve with some fresh grated cheese on top.


Notes: You can use turkey or chicken sausages instead of pork sausage.
Remember to cook the pasta al dente and DO NOT rinse the pasta after its cooked. The best way is to use a slotted spoon and add the cooked pasta to the sauce. Always reserve some pasta water to add to the sauce- the starch actually helps with the texture of the sauce.
Always add fresh herbs at the end- just do a quick stir before serving.
Invest in some good parmesan cheese instead of buying the pre-grated stuff. a little of the fresh stuff goes a long way.

Kadhai chicken - Quick fry chicken

This is like a quick Indian stir-fry chicken. Can be served with rice or bread depending on what you feel like.


2 chicken breasts (boneless - skinless) - cut into strips
2 TBS plain yogurt
1 cup yellow onion - sliced lengthwise
1/2 cup tomato - chopped
1/2 cup bell peppers - sliced
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 tsp red chili powder (cayenne)
1/2 tsp garam masala powder
3/4 tsp salt
2 TBS chopped coriander leaves (cilantro)
2 -3 TBS oil


prep: marinate the sliced chicken in the yogurt for 15-20 minutes

In a saute pan, heat the oil and fry the onions for 3-4 minutes. Add the tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, chili powder and garam masala. Fry for 3-4 minutes - till you can smell the masala.
Add the marinated chicken - and fry for a few minutes. Add the sliced peppers and salt and cover and cook for about 10 minutes till the chicken is cooked. If required you can add a couple of tablespoons of water, but not too much- we want to keep this dry.
Check that the chicken is cooked, adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with the chopped cilantro and serve with rice or bread.

Pork Stir Fry - Quick Fix dinners

We all need some simple recipes that we can whip up for a weekday dinner. This one will give you your protein and your veggies- it's easy and it's fast! Just add a side of rice and voila! you have dinner. You can substitute sliced chicken breast for the pork and use whatever vegetables you have on hand.


300 gms of sliced pork (usually loin)
1/2 cup onion - sliced
7-8 stalks of asparagus
1/2 red pepper - sliced
1/2 yellow pepper - sliced
1/2 cup mushrooms - sliced
1/2 tsp red chili flakes
2-3 cloves of garlic finely chopped or passed through the garlic press
2/3 tsp salt
1 TBS white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
2 TBS olive oil

Heat a saute pan, add oil and fry the garlic very lightly. Add the pork and saute till just done. Takes about 3-4 minutes. Add the vegetables, salt and chili flakes and saute for 2-3 minutes more. You do not want to overcook the vegetables. Finally add the vinegar and let it cook down.

Serve with some rice or pasta for a complete meal. i sometimes cook the rice in chicken stock just for a change.