Egg Hot Garlic Sauce
A fiery and flavorful Indo-Chinese gravy where boiled and fried eggs are tossed in a thick sauce bursting with garlic and chili. The perfect comforting main course to serve with fried rice or noodles for a quick weeknight meal.
For 4 servings
Preparation
- Gently cut the hard-boiled and peeled eggs in half lengthwise.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the light soy sauce, red chili sauce, tomato ketchup, and rice vinegar. Set this sauce mixture aside.
- In another small bowl, combine the cornflour with 1/4 cup of water. Whisk until you have a smooth, lump-free slurry.
Shallow Fry the Eggs
- Heat 4 tbsp of vegetable oil in a wok or a wide, non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, carefully place the egg halves, yolk-side down, into the pan.
- Fry for 2-3 minutes until the yolk side is golden brown and slightly crispy. This adds a wonderful texture.
- Gently flip the eggs and fry for another minute. Remove them with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate.
Sauté the Aromatics
- In the same pan with the remaining oil, add the finely chopped garlic, ginger, and slit green chilies.
- Sauté for about 30-40 seconds over medium heat until they become fragrant and the raw smell disappears. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add the diced onion and continue to sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions turn soft and translucent.
Build the Gravy
- Pour the prepared sauce mixture (soy sauce, chili sauce, etc.) into the pan. Stir well and cook for 1 minute, allowing the sauces to meld.
- Add the remaining 2 cups of water, salt, black pepper powder, and sugar. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer. Give the cornflour slurry a quick stir (as it settles) and slowly pour it into the simmering gravy while stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
- Continue to cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens to a glossy, gravy-like consistency.
Combine and Serve
- Gently slide the fried egg halves back into the thickened gravy.
- Let it simmer for just 1 minute, allowing the eggs to heat through and absorb the flavors of the sauce. Avoid over-stirring to keep the eggs intact.
- Turn off the heat. Garnish generously with chopped spring onion greens.
- Serve hot immediately with your choice of steamed rice, vegetable fried rice, or hakka noodles.
What to keep in mind.
5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For a richer flavor, substitute vegetable or chicken broth for the water in the gravy.
- 2Frying the boiled eggs is key to the dish's texture; it creates a slightly chewy, golden exterior that holds the sauce beautifully.
- 3Always add the cornflour slurry to simmering (not boiling) liquid while stirring constantly to ensure a smooth, lump-free gravy.
- 4Adjust the amount of red chili sauce and green chilies to customize the spice level to your preference.
- 5You can add diced bell peppers (capsicum) along with the onions for extra crunch and color.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegetarian
Replace the eggs with 200g of fried paneer cubes or crispy fried tofu for a delicious vegetarian alternative.
With VegetablesWith Vegetables
Add other vegetables like diced carrots, bell peppers, or broccoli florets. Sauté them after the onions until tender-crisp.
Extra SpicyExtra Spicy
Increase the amount of red chili sauce, add a teaspoon of Schezwan sauce, or use hotter varieties of green chilies.
Dry VersionDry Version
To make a semi-dry version, reduce the water for the gravy to 1/2 cup and use only 1 tbsp of cornflour for the slurry.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Excellent Source of Protein
Eggs are a complete protein source, containing all nine essential amino acids necessary for muscle repair, growth, and overall body function.
Immunity Boosting Properties
Garlic and ginger are renowned for their immune-boosting properties. Garlic contains allicin, which has antibacterial and antiviral effects, helping to fortify your body's defenses.
Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
Eggs provide essential nutrients like Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, selenium, and choline, which are vital for bone health, brain function, and metabolism.
Frequently asked questions
One serving of Egg Hot Garlic Sauce contains approximately 300-350 calories, primarily from the eggs and oil. This does not include accompaniments like rice or noodles.