Dim Kosha with Capsicum

Name: Dim Kosha with Capsicum
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: bengali
Ingredients: 6 pcs egg (hard-boiled and peeled); 2 pcs capsicum (medium, cut into medium strips); 2 pcs onion (medium, finely sliced); 2 pcs tomato (medium, finely chopped); 1 inch ginger (made into paste); 5 pcs garlic (cloves, made into paste); 2 pcs green chili (slit); 2 tbsp mustard oil; 1 pcs bay leaf; 1 inch cinnamon (small piece); 2 pcs green cardamom; 2 pcs cloves; 1 pinch turmeric powder (for the eggs); 0.5 tsp red chili powder; 1 tsp coriander powder; 0.5 tsp cumin powder; 1 pinch garam masala; 0.5 tsp sugar; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.75 cup water; 2 tbsp coriander leaves (chopped, for garnish)

RATING

4.4/5(78)

TASTE SCORE

9/10

Hard-boiled eggs and sweet capsicum simmer in a thick, spiced onion-tomato masala until rich and glossy. This Bengali-style kosha is deep in flavor, gently smoky, and lovely with rice, luchi, or roti.

PREP

15m

COOK

30m

SERVES

1 KATORI

228 cal

SERVINGS

METHOD · 8 STEPS

boil · ~12 min
Boil and peel the eggs.
Boil the eggs until hard-boiled, cool them in water, and peel. Make 2-3 light slits on each egg so they take in the masala better.
TIPThe light slits help the eggs soak up flavor without breaking apart.
fry · ~4 min
Lightly fry the eggs.
1.Heat 1 tbsp mustard oil in a kadai until it just begins to smoke, then lower the heat.
2.Sprinkle the eggs with 1 pinch turmeric powder.
3.Add the eggs and fry gently until lightly golden in spots, 2-3 minutes.
4.Take them out and keep aside.
TIPKeep the heat moderate so the eggs do not blister too much or turn rubbery.
saute · ~10 min
Cook the whole spices and onions.
1.Add the remaining 1 tbsp mustard oil to the same kadai.
2.Add bay leaf, cinnamon, green cardamom, and cloves and cook for 20-30 seconds.
3.Add the sliced onion and sauté until soft and golden, 6-8 minutes.
4.Add ginger, garlic, and green chili and cook for 1 minute.
TIPGolden onions give kosha its deep color and rich taste, so do not rush this step.
saute · ~7 min
Build the masala.
1.Add the chopped tomato and cook until soft and jammy, 4-5 minutes.
2.Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, sugar, and salt.
3.Cook the masala, stirring often, until the oil starts to separate and the mixture turns thick.
TIPIf the masala starts sticking, splash in a spoonful of water instead of adding more oil.
saute · ~4 min
Cook the capsicum.
Add the capsicum and sauté for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened but still holding shape. This keeps a little bite in the finished kosha.
simmer · ~8 min
Simmer the eggs in the gravy.
1.Return the fried eggs to the kadai and coat them well in the masala.
2.Pour in the water and mix gently.
3.Cover and simmer on low heat for 6-8 minutes until the gravy turns thick and clings to the eggs and capsicum.
4.Sprinkle garam masala and switch off the heat.
TIPKosha should be thick and clingy, not watery, so reduce the gravy until glossy.
garnish
Garnish with coriander leaves.
serve
Serve hot.
Serve Dim Kosha with Capsicum hot with steamed rice, luchi, or roti.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Pat the boiled eggs dry before frying so the mustard oil does not splutter.
2
Make only shallow slits in the eggs; deep cuts can make them break while simmering.
3
Let the mustard oil reach its smoking point briefly, then lower the heat to tame its raw sharpness.
4
Cook the onions to a true golden brown for the characteristic deep kosha color and sweetness.
5
Do not overcook the capsicum; it should stay slightly crisp so the dish keeps contrast.
6
If the masala catches at the bottom, loosen it with a spoonful of water and keep bhunoing until glossy.
7
This kosha tastes even better after 30 minutes of rest, when the eggs absorb more of the spiced gravy.