Egg Misal
A spicy and hearty Maharashtrian curry made with sprouted moth beans, topped with a flavorful red gravy, farsan, and a perfectly boiled egg. Served with soft pav, it's a classic street food experience.
For 4 servings
Prepare the Masala Paste (Vatana)
- Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add the sliced onion and sauté for 6-7 minutes until it turns golden brown.
- Add the dry coconut, ginger, and garlic. Roast for another 2-3 minutes until the coconut is fragrant and lightly browned.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to cool completely.
- Transfer the cooled mixture to a grinder. Blend into a smooth paste, adding a few tablespoons of water as needed to facilitate grinding.
Cook the Sprouts and Eggs
- In a pressure cooker, combine the rinsed sprouted moth beans, 2 cups of water, turmeric powder, and 0.5 tsp of salt.
- Secure the lid and cook for 2 whistles over medium-high heat, which takes about 10 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally.
- While the sprouts cook, place the 4 eggs in a separate pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook for 10-12 minutes to hard-boil them. Once done, peel the eggs and slice them in half.
Make the Misal Curry (Kat)
- Heat the remaining 3 tbsp of oil in a large, deep pot over medium heat. A generous amount of oil is key for the signature 'tarri'.
- Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
- Add the prepared ground masala paste and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until it darkens and oil begins to separate from the masala.
- Stir in the finely chopped tomato and cook until it turns soft and mushy.
- Add the misal masala and Kashmiri red chili powder. Sauté for one minute until the spices are fragrant.
- Pour in the cooked sprouts along with their cooking liquid. Add the remaining 2 cups of water, 1 tsp of salt, and the optional jaggery.
- Stir everything well and bring the curry to a rolling boil. Then, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and a layer of red, spicy oil ('tarri' or 'kat') to float to the top.
Assemble and Serve
- To assemble a bowl of Egg Misal, first place a ladleful of the thick sprout curry ('usal') at the bottom of a deep bowl.
- Pour the thin, spicy gravy ('tarri' or 'kat') over the sprouts.
- Gently place two egg halves in the bowl.
- Top generously with farsan, finely chopped raw onion, and fresh coriander leaves.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side and warm, buttered pav.
What to keep in mind.
5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For an extra spicy and authentic 'tarri', heat 1/4 cup of oil in a small pan, turn off the heat, add 1 tbsp of Kashmiri red chili powder, stir, and pour this over the final assembled misal.
- 2To save time, you can use store-bought sprouted moth beans.
- 3Lightly toast the pav with butter or ghee before serving for enhanced flavor and texture.
- 4Do not overcook the sprouts; they should be soft enough to eat but still retain their shape.
- 5Misal often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to deepen and meld together.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegan Misal
Simply omit the boiled egg to make this a completely plant-based dish. The core flavors of the sprout curry remain the same.
Puneri MisalPuneri Misal
A popular variation from Pune where a layer of cooked poha (flattened rice) is added to the bottom of the bowl before adding the sprout curry.
Kolhapuri MisalKolhapuri Misal
For those who love extreme heat, use a spicy Kolhapuri masala instead of regular misal masala and increase the amount of red chili powder.
Mixed Sprout MisalMixed Sprout Misal
If you don't have moth beans, a mix of sprouted moong, black chickpeas (kala chana), and other lentils works wonderfully.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Protein
Both the sprouted moth beans and the eggs are excellent sources of high-quality protein, which is essential for muscle repair, growth, and overall body function.
High in Fiber
Sprouted beans are packed with dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, promotes a healthy gut microbiome, and helps in maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
Source of Complex Carbohydrates
The lentils provide complex carbohydrates that offer a sustained release of energy, keeping you feeling full and energized for longer periods compared to simple carbs.
Frequently asked questions
A typical serving of Egg Misal, including one bowl of curry with egg, farsan, and two pav, contains approximately 550-650 calories. The final count can vary based on the amount of oil and farsan used.