Idiyappam with Chettinad Egg Kuzhambu

Ingredients

• 8 piece Egg
• 1 piece Tamarind (small lemon-sized ball)
• 1 cup Warm Water (for soaking tamarind)
• 2 tbsp Coriander Seeds
• 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
• 1 tsp Fennel Seeds
• 1 tsp Black Peppercorns
• 5 piece Dried Red Chili (adjust to your spice preference)
• 1 inch Cinnamon Stick
• 4 piece Clove
• 1 piece Star Anise
• 0.5 cup Grated Coconut (fresh or frozen)
• 3 tbsp Sesame Oil (also known as gingelly oil)
• 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 0.25 tsp Fenugreek Seeds
• 12 piece Curry Leaves
• 1 cup Pearl Onion (peeled, about 150g)
• 1.5 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
• 2 piece Tomato (medium, finely chopped)
• 0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1.25 tsp Salt (or to taste)
• 1.5 cup Water (for the gravy)
• 2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare Eggs and Tamarind Extract

   • Place eggs in a saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Cook for 10 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. Immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking, then peel.
   • Once peeled, make a few shallow slits on each egg with a knife. This helps them absorb the gravy's flavor. Set aside.
   • Soak the tamarind in 1 cup of warm water for 15 minutes. Squeeze the pulp thoroughly to extract its essence, then strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard the solids and keep the tamarind water.
2. 2

   Dry Roast and Grind the Chettinad Masala

   • Heat a small, dry pan over low-medium heat. Add coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, dried red chilies, cinnamon stick, cloves, and star anise.
   • Dry roast the spices for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until they become highly aromatic and slightly darker. Be careful not to burn them.
   • Add the grated coconut to the pan and continue to roast for another 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously, until the coconut turns a light golden brown.
   • Remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to cool down completely.
   • Transfer the cooled spice and coconut mixture to a grinder or blender. Add a few tablespoons of water and grind to a very smooth paste. Set aside.