Hirwa Masala Anda Curry
A vibrant and aromatic Maharashtrian egg curry made with a fresh green masala of cilantro, mint, and coconut. This spicy and tangy dish is a flavorful twist on the classic anda curry, perfect with hot chapatis or steamed rice.
For 4 servings
Prepare the Eggs
- Place 8 eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water by at least an inch.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes for hard-boiled eggs.
- Drain the hot water and immediately place the eggs in an ice bath or run under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Once cool, peel the eggs and make 2-3 shallow slits on each one with a knife. This helps them absorb the curry flavor. Set aside.
Make the Hirwa Masala Paste
- In a blender or grinder jar, combine the coriander leaves, mint leaves, grated coconut, green chillies, ginger, and garlic.
- Add 3 tablespoons of water and blend to a smooth, thick paste. Scrape down the sides as needed to ensure everything is well combined. Set aside.
Sauté the Curry Base
- Heat oil in a wide pan or kadai over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.
- Add the cumin seeds, hing, and curry leaves. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the finely chopped onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they turn soft and golden brown, which should take about 7-8 minutes.
- Add the prepared hirwa masala paste to the pan. Sauté for 6-8 minutes on medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the raw aroma disappears and you see oil separating from the sides of the masala.
Simmer the Curry
- Stir in the turmeric powder and garam masala. Cook for another minute until the spices are aromatic.
- Pour in 2 cups of water and add salt. Mix everything well and bring the gravy to a gentle boil.
- Carefully slide the slit boiled eggs into the gravy.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the curry simmer for 8-10 minutes. This allows the eggs to soak up the rich flavors of the masala.
Finish and Serve
- Turn off the heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice.
- Let the curry rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
- Serve the Hirwa Masala Anda Curry hot with chapatis, bhakri, or steamed rice.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Making slits on the boiled eggs is crucial for them to absorb the rich flavors of the masala.
- 2Sauté the green masala paste on medium-low heat until oil separates to ensure the raw taste is gone and the flavor is fully developed.
- 3For a creamier texture, you can replace 1 cup of water with 1 cup of thin coconut milk.
- 4For a richer flavor and better texture, lightly pan-fry the slit boiled eggs in a teaspoon of oil with a pinch of turmeric and red chilli powder before adding them to the gravy.
- 5If fresh coconut is unavailable, you can use 1/4 cup of desiccated coconut soaked in 2 tablespoons of warm water for 10 minutes.
- 6This curry tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegetarian
Replace the eggs with 200g of cubed paneer or 2 large boiled and cubed potatoes. Add them at the simmering stage.
VeganVegan
Use firm tofu cubes (pan-fried until golden) or a can of chickpeas instead of eggs. Ensure your garam masala and other spices are free from dairy derivatives.
Richer GravyRicher Gravy
Add 2 tablespoons of cashew paste along with the green masala paste for a thicker, creamier, and richer gravy.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Excellent Source of Protein
Eggs are a complete protein, providing all the essential amino acids necessary for muscle repair, growth, and overall body function. Each serving provides a significant protein boost.
Rich in Fresh Herbs & Spices
The 'hirwa masala' is made from fresh coriander, mint, ginger, and garlic, which are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and phytonutrients that help combat oxidative stress and inflammation.
Immunity-Boosting Properties
Key ingredients like turmeric (curcumin), ginger, and garlic have well-known anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help strengthen the immune system and protect against common ailments.
Frequently asked questions
One serving of Hirwa Masala Anda Curry (approximately 2 eggs with gravy) contains around 350-400 calories, depending on the amount of oil and coconut used.