Egg Korma with Zaafrani Pulao

Instructions

1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.