Egg Malai Masala
Boiled eggs tucked into a mild, creamy onion-tomato gravy with soft spices and a rich malai finish. This comforting North Indian style curry tastes luxurious but comes together with simple pantry ingredients.
For 4 servings
- boil · ~12 min
Boil and peel the eggs.
Place the eggs in a pan, cover with water, and boil until hard cooked. Cool, peel, and set aside.
TIPCool the eggs in water before peeling so the shells come off more easily. - prep · ~5 min
Prick the eggs and prepare the masala ingredients.
Lightly prick each boiled egg with a fork so the gravy coats them better. Keep the onion, tomato, ginger-garlic paste, cream, milk, and spices ready near the stove.
- saute · ~1 min
Cook the whole spices.
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add bay leaf, cumin seeds, and green cardamom, and let them sizzle until fragrant.
- saute · ~7 min
Cook the onions.
1.Add the chopped onion to the pan.2.Cook over medium heat until soft and light golden, stirring often.3.Add ginger-garlic paste and cook until the raw smell goes away.TIPDo not brown the onions too much; a lighter base keeps the gravy creamy and mild. - saute · ~7 min
Cook the tomatoes and ground spices.
1.Add the chopped tomato and mix well.2.Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt.3.Cook until the tomatoes turn soft and the masala looks thick and glossy. - mix · ~2 min
Blend in the cream and milk.
Lower the heat and stir in the fresh cream and milk. Mix gently until the gravy looks smooth and evenly combined.
TIPKeep the heat low once the cream goes in so it stays silky and does not split. - simmer · ~5 min
Simmer the gravy.
Add water and bring the gravy to a gentle simmer. Cook for a few minutes until it thickens slightly and the oil begins to show at the edges.
- simmer · ~5 min
Add the eggs and finish the curry.
Add the boiled eggs, garam masala, and crushed kasuri methi. Spoon the gravy over the eggs and simmer gently so they warm through and take on the flavor.
- garnish
Garnish with coriander leaves.
- serve
Serve hot.
Serve Egg Malai Masala hot with roti, naan, paratha, or jeera rice.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Prick the boiled eggs lightly, not deeply, so the gravy clings without making the eggs break apart.
- 2Keep the onions only light golden; darker onions will make this malai gravy taste heavier and less delicate.
- 3Cook the tomato masala until it looks glossy before adding milk and cream, or the gravy can taste raw and separate.
- 4Bring the cream to room temperature and lower the heat before adding it to reduce the chance of curdling.
- 5Crush the kasuri methi between your palms just before adding for a fresher fenugreek aroma.
- 6Simmer the eggs gently for a few minutes in the gravy so they absorb flavor without turning rubbery.
- 7If making ahead, prepare the gravy first and add the eggs while reheating so the yolks stay tender.
Adapt it for your goals.
Spicier
Increase the red chili powder slightly or add slit green chilies if you want the rich gravy to have more heat.
dhaba styleDhaba-style
Lightly pan-fry the boiled eggs in a little oil with a pinch of turmeric before adding them for extra color and a more robust taste.
no creamNo-cream
Use only milk plus a spoonful of cashew paste for a lighter finish that still keeps the gravy smooth.
shahiShahi
Add a small spoonful of cashew paste with the tomatoes for a thicker, richer North Indian-style gravy.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Good Protein from Eggs
The boiled eggs make this curry filling and provide quality protein that helps turn a simple gravy into a satisfying meal.
Contains Antioxidant Spices
Turmeric, coriander, cumin, and ginger-garlic add flavor along with plant compounds commonly valued in everyday Indian cooking.
Calcium from Dairy
Milk and fresh cream contribute dairy-based calcium while also giving the curry its soft, rich texture.
Frequently asked questions
This usually happens when the heat is too high or the cream is too cold. Lower the flame, use room-temperature cream, and stir gently after adding milk and cream.
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