Malai Egg Curry
A luxurious and creamy egg curry inspired by rich Mughlai flavors. Hard-boiled eggs are simmered in a smooth, fragrant gravy made from cashews, cream, and gentle spices. It's a royal treat that pairs beautifully with naan or jeera rice.
For 4 servings
7 steps. 25 minutes total.
- 1
Step 1
- a.Prepare Eggs and Creamy Paste
- b.Using a knife, make a few shallow, lengthwise slits on the hard-boiled eggs. This helps them absorb the gravy's flavor. Set aside.
- c.In a blender, combine the roughly chopped onions, drained soaked cashews, and green chillies. Blend into a very smooth paste. Add 2-3 tablespoons of water if needed to facilitate blending.
- 2
Step 2
- a.Temper Whole Spices
- b.Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai over medium heat.
- c.Once the ghee is hot, add the whole spices: cinnamon stick, cloves, green cardamom pods, and bay leaf. Sauté for 30-45 seconds until they release a pleasant aroma.
- 3
Step 3
- a.Sauté the Onion-Cashew Paste
- b.Add the prepared onion-cashew paste to the pan. Reduce the heat to low-medium.
- c.Cook the paste for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking. Continue cooking until the paste thickens, turns a light golden color, and you see ghee separating from the sides.
- 4
Step 4
- a.Add Aromatics and Ground Spices
- b.Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for another 1-2 minutes until its raw smell disappears.
- c.Add the coriander powder, cumin powder, and white pepper powder. Mix well and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously.
- 5
Step 5
- a.Build the Gravy
- b.Reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Add the well-whisked curd and stir vigorously and continuously for 1-2 minutes to prevent it from curdling.
- c.Once the curd is incorporated, slowly pour in the water and add salt. Stir well to combine everything into a smooth gravy.
- d.Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- 6
Step 6
- a.Simmer with Eggs
- b.Gently slide the slit hard-boiled eggs into the simmering gravy.
- c.Cover the pan and let the curry cook on low heat for 5-7 minutes. This allows the eggs to absorb the rich flavors of the gravy.
- 7
Step 7
- a.Finish with Cream and Garnish
- b.Turn the heat down to the absolute lowest. Stir in the fresh cream, garam masala, and crushed kasuri methi.
- c.Let it simmer very gently for just 1-2 minutes. Avoid boiling the curry after adding cream to prevent it from splitting.
- d.Turn off the heat, garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves, and serve hot.
What to keep in mind.
5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For an even richer flavor, lightly pan-fry the boiled eggs in 1 tsp of ghee until they are golden brown before adding them to the gravy.
- 2Ensure the onion-cashew paste is blended to be completely smooth to achieve the signature velvety texture of a malai curry.
- 3Always add whisked curd on the lowest heat and stir continuously to prevent the gravy from splitting.
- 4Do not boil the curry after adding fresh cream, as it can curdle and ruin the texture.
- 5White pepper powder is traditional for white gravies as it provides heat without adding color, but black pepper works as a substitute.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegetarian
Replace the eggs with 200g of paneer cubes to make Malai Paneer. Lightly fry the paneer before adding it to the gravy.
Nut FreeNut-Free
For a nut-free version, substitute the cashews with an equal amount of melon seeds (magaz) or a combination of melon seeds and poppy seeds (khus khus).
Richer GravyRicher Gravy
Add a tablespoon of milk powder along with the ground spices to make the gravy even thicker and creamier.
Aromatic TwistAromatic Twist
Add a pinch of saffron soaked in 2 tablespoons of warm milk along with the cream for a beautiful color and royal aroma.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Excellent Source of Protein
Eggs are a complete protein source, providing all the essential amino acids necessary for muscle repair, growth, and overall body function.
Rich in Healthy Fats
Cashew nuts provide monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health by helping to reduce bad cholesterol levels.
Energy Boosting
The combination of protein from eggs and healthy fats from cashews and ghee provides a sustained release of energy, keeping you full and energized for longer.
Frequently asked questions
A single serving of Malai Egg Curry contains approximately 430-450 calories, depending on the amount of ghee and the fat content of the cream and curd used.