
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.
Ingredients
Equipment: Medium saucepan for boiling eggs, wide heavy-bottomed pan or deep skillet with lid, wooden spoon, blender (optional)
Method
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.
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.
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.
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.
Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute until the raw smell disappears.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Estimated from the ingredient list. Values vary with brands and portion size.
You might also cook
Chicken Karahi
Chicken cooked hard and fast in a wok-shaped karahi with tomatoes, green chilies and ginger. No onions, no cream, and ready in under an hour.
Chicken Biryani
Layers of long-grain basmati and a tangy, spiced chicken masala, steamed together until every grain stays separate. Made with potatoes and dried plums, the way many Karachi homes make it.
PakistaniMasala Omelette
The dhaba-style omelette: eggs beaten with onion, tomato, green chili and coriander, cooked thin and folded.
Prawn Karahi
Juicy prawns tossed quickly in a tomato, ginger and green chilli masala until the oil glistens. A fast, punchy karahi that suits a weeknight dinner with hot naan.
Pakistani kitchen
Kadhi Pakora (Yogurt and Gram Flour Curry with Fried Fritters)
A tangy, silky yogurt and besan curry simmered slowly and topped with soft onion pakoras and a sizzling cumin-chilli tarka. It's a comforting Punjabi-style lunch to serve with plain rice.
Chicken Macaroni
Tender chicken and macaroni tossed in a spicy tomato masala with capsicum, black pepper and lemon. A quick, filling family dinner with a Pakistani flavour.
Chicken Steam Roast (Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Steamed on Onions, Finished in the Oven)
Chicken pieces are marinated in spiced yogurt, steamed over sliced onions until tender, then roasted with butter until browned at the edges. The result is juicy meat and a small pot of onion gravy on the side.
Kaleji Masala (Goat Liver in Onion-Tomato Masala with Ginger and Green Chilli)
Tender cubes of goat liver cooked quickly in a thick onion-tomato masala and finished with fresh ginger, green chilli and lemon. Ready in under an hour and lovely with hot roti.