Growing up in Pakistan, my mother and grandmother used to make spicy curry with potatoes and perfect boiled eggs. We served it with rice or bread. It was packed with spices and tasted irresistible. I still recall the flavor and aroma. It is one of my favorite vegetarian dishes.
Ingredients:
- 2 potatoes, large size, cut into cubes
- 6 eggs
- 1 can tomato sauce, 15 oz
- ½ cup fresh red onion, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons garlic and ginger paste
- 1 bay leave, 1 black cardamom, and 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon all-spice powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, finely chopped, plus more for serving
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint, plus more for serving
- 3-4 fresh green chilis, small size, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt (as needed)
Method:
Heat medium-size saucepan, add eggs. Bring to boil for about 11-12 minutes. Then remove the shells and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium heat, add onions, and sauté till they are softened.
Tip: Stir occasionally until the onions are soft and can be squashed with a spoon.
Add ginger and garlic paste, then sauté for a few minutes until fragrant. Then add bay leaves, cumin seeds, caraway seeds, black cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, all-spice powder, and salt with one a cup of water. Stir rapidly until the oil separates. Then add the potatoes and sauté for a few minutes until all the flavors have been infused. Add 2 cups of water and bring to boil the mixture. Reduce the heat, cover, and continue to cook for about 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are cooked. Then combine tomato sauce with half a cup of water. Cover, cook until the gravy thickens for about 5 minutes. Then add eggs into the gravy mixture.
Tip: you can add more water to make more gravy.
Turn off the heat, adjust salt, sprinkle all-spices powder, mint, cilantro, and green chili. Serve warm with rice, bread, or roti.