Egg Korma
Hard-boiled eggs simmered in a luxurious, creamy gravy made from cashews, yogurt, and aromatic spices. This Mughlai classic is rich, mildly spiced, and perfect with naan or pulao for a special meal.
For 4 servings
5 steps. 30 minutes total.
- 1
Step 1
- a.Preparation
- b.Hard-boil the eggs for 10-12 minutes. Transfer to an ice bath, then peel them carefully. Prick each egg a few times with a fork or toothpick and set aside. This helps them absorb the gravy.
- c.Soak the cashews and almonds in 1/2 cup of hot water for 15-20 minutes. If using almonds with skin, blanch and peel them before soaking.
- d.Whisk the curd in a bowl until it is completely smooth and free of lumps. Set aside.
- 2
Step 2
- a.Make the Birista and Korma Paste
- b.Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions.
- c.Fry the onions, stirring frequently, for 12-15 minutes until they are uniformly deep golden brown and crisp (this is called 'birista'). Do not burn them. Remove the fried onions with a slotted spoon and spread them on a plate to cool.
- d.In a blender jar, add the cooled fried onions, the soaked cashews and almonds (along with their soaking water), and grind to a very smooth, fine paste. Add a splash of extra water if needed to facilitate grinding.
- 3
Step 3
- a.Cook the Gravy Base
- b.In the same pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of ghee. Add the whole spices: bay leaf, cinnamon stick, green cardamoms, and cloves. Sauté for 30-40 seconds until they become fragrant.
- c.Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for about a minute until the raw aroma disappears.
- d.Add the prepared onion-nut paste to the pan. Cook on low-medium heat, stirring continuously, for 5-7 minutes until the paste thickens and you see ghee separating from the sides.
- e.Add the spice powders: turmeric, Kashmiri red chili, and coriander powder. Sauté for another minute until well combined and fragrant.
- 4
Step 4
- a.Build the Korma Gravy
- b.Reduce the heat to the absolute lowest setting. Slowly add the whisked curd, a little at a time, while stirring constantly. This is crucial to prevent the curd from splitting.
- c.Once the curd is fully incorporated, increase the heat to low-medium and cook for 3-4 minutes until the oil starts to surface again.
- d.Pour in 1.5 cups of warm water and add salt. Stir well to combine. Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer.
- 5
Step 5
- a.Simmer and Finish
- b.Gently slide the pricked, hard-boiled eggs into the simmering gravy.
- c.Cover the pan and let the korma cook on low heat for 8-10 minutes. This allows the eggs to absorb the rich flavors of the gravy.
- d.Turn off the heat. Stir in the garam masala, crushed kasuri methi, and the optional kewra water for that classic Mughlai fragrance.
- e.Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves. Let the korma rest for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve hot with naan, roti, or pulao.
What to keep in mind.
5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Frying the onions to a deep golden brown (birista) is the most critical step for the authentic korma flavor and color. Be patient and fry on medium heat.
- 2Always use full-fat, room-temperature yogurt and add it on low heat while stirring constantly to ensure a smooth, creamy gravy without any curdling.
- 3For an even richer korma, you can add 2-3 tablespoons of fresh cream at the end or replace half of the water with milk.
- 4Do not skip pricking the boiled eggs. It makes a huge difference in how flavorful they become.
- 5Let the korma rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors to deepen and meld together beautifully.
Adapt it for your goals.
Paneer Korma
Replace the eggs with 250g of paneer cubes. Lightly pan-fry the paneer before adding it to the gravy in the final step.
Vegetable KormaVegetable Korma
Use a mix of vegetables like carrots, peas, beans, and potatoes instead of eggs. Parboil the vegetables before adding them to the gravy.
Richer PasteRicher Paste
For a more decadent version, add 1 tablespoon of soaked poppy seeds (khus khus) or melon seeds (magaz) to the blender along with the nuts and onions.
Chicken KormaChicken Korma
Substitute eggs with 500g of bone-in chicken pieces. Sauté the chicken after the ginger-garlic paste until lightly browned, then proceed with adding the korma paste and cook until the chicken is tender.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Excellent Protein Source
Eggs are a complete protein, providing all nine essential amino acids necessary for muscle repair, immune function, and overall body maintenance.
Rich in Healthy Fats
The use of almonds and cashews provides monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health and can help in managing cholesterol levels.
Supports Bone Health
Both eggs and curd are good sources of Vitamin D and calcium, which are crucial nutrients for building and maintaining strong, healthy bones.
Frequently asked questions
One serving of Egg Korma (approximately 2 eggs and gravy) contains around 380-420 calories, depending on the amount of ghee and the fat content of the curd used. It's a rich dish best enjoyed in moderation.
