Undi with Egg Korma

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)
• 3 tbsp Ghee
• 1.5 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
• 4 pods Green Cardamom (lightly crushed)
• 4 pc Cloves
• 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)
• 1.5 tsp Coriander Powder
• 0.75 tsp Garam Masala
• 1 tsp Kasuri Methi (dried fenugreek leaves, crushed)
• 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. 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.