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Bowl of Pakistani egg curry with halved boiled eggs in thick red-orange masala, garnished with fresh coriander, served with roti
Pakistani · Dinner

Anda Curry (Pakistani Egg Curry in Onion-Tomato Masala)

Hard-boiled eggs simmered in a thick, glossy onion-tomato masala with whole spices. It is an easy, budget-friendly dinner that comes together in under 45 minutes and suits roti or rice.

Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Total45 min
Serves4
Difficulty
CuisinePakistani

Ingredients

4 servings

Equipment: Medium saucepan for boiling eggs, wide heavy-bottomed pan or deep skillet with lid, wooden spoon, blender (optional)

Method

  1. Place the eggs in a saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat, cover and leave for 10 minutes so the yolks set firm but not chalky.

  2. Move the eggs into a bowl of cold water for 5 minutes, then peel them. Use the tip of a small knife to cut 2 or 3 shallow slits in each white so the masala can get in.

  3. Heat the oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, cardamom, cinnamon and bay leaves and let them sizzle for 30 seconds until fragrant.

  4. Add the chopped onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, for 8 to 10 minutes until soft and deep golden brown at the edges.

  5. Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute until the raw smell disappears.

  6. Add the tomatoes, chilli powder, turmeric, coriander and salt. Cover and cook on medium-low for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the oil begins to separate at the sides.

  7. Take the pan off the heat for a moment and stir in the whisked yogurt so it does not curdle. Return to low heat and cook for 2 minutes until the masala looks thick and glossy.

  8. Pour in the hot water and add the green chillies. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 minutes until the gravy is medium-thick; add a splash more water if you prefer it looser.

  9. Gently add the eggs and spoon the gravy over them. Cover and simmer on low for 4 minutes so they absorb the flavour, turning once carefully.

  10. Sprinkle over the garam masala and crushed kasuri methi, then taste and adjust the salt. Turn off the heat and garnish with fresh coriander before serving.

Cooking tips

  • Do not boil the eggs for longer than the time given; overcooked eggs turn rubbery and develop a grey ring around the yolk.
  • Brown the onions properly. They give the gravy its colour and sweetness, so do not rush this step.
  • Lightly frying the peeled boiled eggs in a little oil until the whites blister gives a nice texture, but it is optional.
  • Simmer the eggs gently once they are in the gravy; hard boiling makes them tough.

Substitutions

  • Use 1 cup of tomato puree instead of fresh tomatoes if they are out of season.
  • Replace yogurt with 2 tbsp of cream or a splash of milk for a milder gravy.
  • Swap kasuri methi with a small pinch of extra garam masala if you do not have it.
  • Use ghee in place of half the oil for a richer flavour.

Serve with

"Serve hot with fresh roti, naan or plain steamed basmati rice. A simple kachumber salad of cucumber, onion and tomato, and a bowl of plain raita go well alongside."

Storage

Cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Boiled eggs become firmer over time, so this curry is best eaten fresh. Freezing is not recommended.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a covered pan over low heat with a splash of water until piping hot throughout, about 5 minutes. Avoid the microwave at high power as it can make the eggs rubbery.

Nutrition per serving, estimated

330kcal
18 gProtein
13 gCarbs
23 gFat

Estimated from the ingredient list. Values vary with brands and portion size.

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