Hard-boiled eggs simmered in a luxurious, creamy gravy made from cashews, yogurt, and aromatic spices. This Mughlai classic is rich, mildly spiced, and perfect with naan or pulao for a special meal.
Prep20 min
Cook30 min
Soak15 min
Servings4
Serving size: 2 eggs(2 eggs and about 1 cup of korma gravy)
757cal
32gprotein
31gcarbs
Ingredients
8 pc Egg (large, hard-boiled and peeled)
2 medium Onion (thinly sliced)
15 pc Cashews (whole, unsalted)
10 pc Almonds (blanched and peeled)
0.75 cup Curd (plain, full-fat, whisked until smooth)
Experience the magic of ultra-thin, soft, and foldable flatbreads, reminiscent of a handkerchief. This Mughlai specialty is perfect for scooping up rich curries and kebabs, and surprisingly fun to make at home.
Crisp, tangy pickled pearl onions soaked in a sweet and sour vinegar brine. This classic Indian restaurant-style condiment adds a refreshing crunch to rich curries and tandoori dishes.
0.5 tsp Kewra Water (optional, for authentic aroma)
1.25 tsp Salt (or to taste)
1.5 cup Water (plus more for soaking nuts)
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (freshly chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Preparation
Hard-boil the eggs for 10-12 minutes. Transfer to an ice bath, then peel them carefully. Prick each egg a few times with a fork or toothpick and set aside. This helps them absorb the gravy.
Soak the cashews and almonds in 1/2 cup of hot water for 15-20 minutes. If using almonds with skin, blanch and peel them before soaking.
Whisk the curd in a bowl until it is completely smooth and free of lumps. Set aside.
2
Make the Birista and Korma Paste
Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions.
Fry the onions, stirring frequently, for 12-15 minutes until they are uniformly deep golden brown and crisp (this is called 'birista'). Do not burn them. Remove the fried onions with a slotted spoon and spread them on a plate to cool.
In a blender jar, add the cooled fried onions, the soaked cashews and almonds (along with their soaking water), and grind to a very smooth, fine paste. Add a splash of extra water if needed to facilitate grinding.
3
Cook the Gravy Base
In the same pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of ghee. Add the whole spices: bay leaf, cinnamon stick, green cardamoms, and cloves. Sauté for 30-40 seconds until they become fragrant.
Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for about a minute until the raw aroma disappears.
Add the prepared onion-nut paste to the pan. Cook on low-medium heat, stirring continuously, for 5-7 minutes until the paste thickens and you see ghee separating from the sides.
Add the spice powders: turmeric, Kashmiri red chili, and coriander powder. Sauté for another minute until well combined and fragrant.
4
Build the Korma Gravy
Reduce the heat to the absolute lowest setting. Slowly add the whisked curd, a little at a time, while stirring constantly. This is crucial to prevent the curd from splitting.
Once the curd is fully incorporated, increase the heat to low-medium and cook for 3-4 minutes until the oil starts to surface again.
Pour in 1.5 cups of warm water and add salt. Stir well to combine. Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer.
5
Simmer and Finish
Gently slide the pricked, hard-boiled eggs into the simmering gravy.
Cover the pan and let the korma cook on low heat for 8-10 minutes. This allows the eggs to absorb the rich flavors of the gravy.
Turn off the heat. Stir in the garam masala, crushed kasuri methi, and the optional kewra water for that classic Mughlai fragrance.
Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves. Let the korma rest for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve hot with naan, roti, or pulao.
330cal
8gprotein
48gcarbs
12gfat
Ingredients
1.5 cup All-Purpose Flour
0.5 cup Atta
0.75 tsp Salt
1 tbsp Vegetable Oil (for the dough)
0.5 cup Warm Milk
0.25 cup Warm Water (adjust as needed)
2 tbsp Ghee (for brushing, optional)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1.5 cups of all-purpose flour, 0.5 cup of atta, and salt.
Add the vegetable oil and rub it into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Gradually pour in the warm milk and warm water, mixing continuously to form a very soft, pliable, and slightly sticky dough. You may not need all the water.
2
Knead and Rest the Dough
Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled surface and knead for 10-12 minutes until it becomes extremely smooth, soft, and elastic. It should spring back when gently pressed.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rest for at least 60 to 90 minutes. This step is crucial for relaxing the gluten, which makes stretching possible.
3
Prepare the Cooking Surface
Invert a large kadai (Indian wok) or a convex tawa over your stove burner.
Heat the inverted kadai on a medium-high flame for 5-7 minutes until it's very hot. To test if it's ready, sprinkle a few drops of water on the surface; they should sizzle and evaporate almost instantly.
4
Divide and Shape the Dough
After resting, gently knead the dough for another minute.
Divide the dough into 8 equal-sized balls. Keep the dough balls covered with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out.
5
Stretch the Roti
Take one dough ball and dust it generously with all-purpose flour. Roll it out with a rolling pin into a thin circle, about 6-7 inches in diameter.
Gently lift the rolled dough and drape it over the knuckles of both hands. Carefully rotate the dough, allowing gravity to stretch it further until it becomes paper-thin and translucent. Be gentle to avoid tearing.
6
Cook the Roti
Quickly and carefully, drape the stretched roti over the hot inverted kadai.
Cook for about 30-45 seconds, or until you see small bubbles forming on the surface.
Using a pair of tongs, flip the roti and cook the other side for another 20-30 seconds. The roti should be cooked through but remain soft and pale, without any dark brown spots.
7
Fold and Serve
Remove the roti from the kadai and place it on a clean cloth or plate.
Immediately fold it in half, and then in half again to resemble a handkerchief.
Brush with a little ghee if desired. Place the folded roti in a casserole dish or wrap it in a kitchen towel to keep it warm and soft while you cook the rest.
Peel the pearl onions. To make peeling easier, blanch them in hot water for 2 minutes, then immediately transfer to a bowl of ice-cold water.
Trim the root and stem ends of each onion, keeping them whole.
Make a small, shallow cross-shaped incision on the top of each onion. This helps the brine penetrate deeper for better flavor.
2
Make the Pickling Brine
In a non-reactive saucepan (like stainless steel or enamel), combine the water, white vinegar, sugar, and salt.
Add the julienned ginger, slit green chilies, and black peppercorns.
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar and salt dissolve completely. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
3
Assemble the Pickle
Place the peeled pearl onions and the thin slice of beetroot into a clean, sterilized 500ml (16 oz) glass jar.
Carefully pour the hot pickling brine over the onions, ensuring they are fully submerged. Gently tap the jar on the counter to release any air bubbles.
4
Cool, Store, and Serve
Allow the jar to cool to room temperature on the counter, which may take 1-2 hours.
Once completely cool, seal the jar with an airtight lid and place it in the refrigerator.
For the best flavor and crunch, let the onions pickle for at least 24 hours before serving. The flavor will continue to develop and intensify over the next few days.