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)
A quintessential Mughlai flatbread, Saffron Sheermal is a mildly sweet, soft, and leavened bread enriched with milk, ghee, and the luxurious aroma of saffron. Its name, derived from the Persian words 'sheer' (milk) and 'mal' (to rub), reflects its rich, tender texture. Traditionally cooked in a tandoor, this home-style version on a tawa yields a delightful bread perfect for pairing with rich curries like Nihari or Korma.
Creamy, aromatic Egg Korma with melt-in-mouth Sheermal - a protein-packed comfort food for dinner!
This awadhi dish is perfect for dinner. With 1156.1599999999999 calories and 40.33g of protein per serving, it's a nutritious choice for your meal plan.
60gfat
1 inch piece
Cinnamon Stick
1 pc Bay Leaf
0.25 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder (for color, adjust for heat)
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.
Servings4
Serving size: 1 piece
399cal
8gprotein
56gcarbs
15gfat
Ingredients
2 cup All-Purpose Flour (Also known as Maida)
0.75 cup Warm Milk (Should be lukewarm, about 105-115°F or 40-46°C)
4 tbsp Ghee (Melted and divided)
2 tbsp Sugar (Use granulated sugar)
0.25 tsp Saffron Strands (A generous pinch)
1 tsp Instant Yeast
0.5 tsp Salt
0.5 tsp Kewra Water (Optional, for authentic fragrance)
Instructions
1
Bloom Saffron & Activate Yeast (10 minutes)
In a small bowl, take 2 tablespoons of the warm milk and add the saffron strands. Let it soak to release its color and aroma.
In a separate, larger bowl, combine the remaining warm milk, sugar, and instant yeast. Stir gently and set aside for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy and active.
2
Prepare the Dough (15 minutes)
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
Add 3 tablespoons of melted ghee to the flour. Using your fingertips, rub the ghee into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
Pour the frothy yeast mixture, the saffron-infused milk, and the optional kewra water into the flour mixture.
Combine everything to form a shaggy dough, then transfer to a lightly floured surface.
Knead for 10-12 minutes by hand (or 7-8 minutes in a stand mixer with a dough hook) until the dough is soft, smooth, and elastic.
3
Proof the Dough (60-90 minutes)
Form the kneaded dough into a smooth ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl.
Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap.
Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 60 to 90 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
4
Shape the Sheermals (10 minutes)
Gently punch down the risen dough to release the air.
Divide the dough into 4 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball.
On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a 6-inch round or oval disc, about 1/4-inch thick.
Thoroughly prick the entire surface of each disc with a fork. This is crucial to prevent it from puffing up during cooking.
5
Cook the Sheermals (15 minutes)
Heat a heavy-bottomed pan (tawa) or a non-stick skillet over low-medium heat.
Place one shaped sheermal on the hot tawa and cook for 2-3 minutes until the underside has light golden-brown spots.
Flip the sheermal, cover the pan with a lid, and continue to cook on low heat for another 3-4 minutes. The trapped steam helps cook it through and keeps it soft.
Remove from the pan and repeat the process for the remaining dough portions.
6
Glaze and Serve (2 minutes)
As soon as each sheermal is cooked, immediately brush it generously with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted ghee.
Serve warm with rich curries like korma, nihari, or enjoy on its own.
