EGG FRY (my version)

I made this dish last night after having looked up different variations of the same recipe online to get an idea of what I could do.  Needless to say this recipe is a combination of several different recipes that I have incorporated to my own.  Real simple.

Cook Time: 25 to 30 mins or less

• 5 Eggs (boiled) 

• Onions (two to three small onions if in India & one large yellow onion if in the US or elsewhere) The reason I state this is because the onions in India tend to be on the small side, whereas onions in the US and elsewhere I have noticed from my travels can be fairly large in size.  

• Garlice (4-5 medium sized cloves chopped finely) Once again the size of Garlic pieces in India tend to be really small, so depends on how much garlic you want in the dish. In the US two to three large sized cloves should do. Now if one does not like peeling and chopping Garlic then use Garlic paste (11/2 tsps should do it) 

• Ginger (1 inch piece is plenty, and here you can also substitute fresh Ginger with Ginger paste 3/4 tsp)

• Bay Leaves (1 to 2 small leaves)

• Cardamom Pods (3)

• Cinnamon Stick (1)

• Black Pepeercorns (1/4 tsp)

• Chilies (3-4 large green chilies, chopped finely) Mind you, this is meant to be a spicy dish, but if you don't want it too spicy, then please by all means only put in the amount you feel is necessary. 

• Tomatoes (3-4 medium sized tomatoes cut in half and then sliced (not chopped!)

• Cumin Seeds (1/2 tsp)
• Coriander Powder (1/2)
• Turmeric Powder (1 tbsp)
• Garam Masala (1 1/2 tsps)
• Chili Powder ( 1tsp)
• Ground black peper (1/4 tsp)

• Salt to taste (I have a tendency to put alot of salt in and have to be careful when feeding others, so when I say "salt to taste", I literally mean "salt to taste, LOL! 

Instructions to Make Egg Fry:

1) Boil water before putting in Eggs (some people like to start cooking eggs in cold water before bringing it upto a boil, but personally from my experience it makes no difference)- Now, if you don't know how to boil water, then there is something seriously wrong with you, but I wont hold it against anyone who does not.

• Cook the eggs for approximately 10-12 mins (if you want it softer inside cook for 8 or so mins).  Make sure once you add the eggs to the boiling water you reduce the heat to low so its simmering for this time, if you boil it on high for this time you will over cook the eggs and I have done this trust me.  
• Once Eggs are boiled, rinse them in cold water and set aside for about 5 mins and peel off the shells (note one great trick to peeling eggs, softly push down on the egg with a kitchen towel till you hear a crunch, find a cracked spot and make sure when you peel the egg, you get the thin layer of skin below the shell, once you get that slightly peeled, the whole shell should come off without a hitch)

• 2)  Now in a Karahi also known as "Kadai" (and if you don't have one of these use a shallow non-stick frying pan) add about 4 tbsps oil) What oil you decide to use is upto you.  Here (in India) I made this dish with Sunflower oil, if I was in the US, I would have used Olive Oil.  I don't think the taste will be much different as I previously cooked all Indian dishes in the US with Olive Oil.

• 3) Wait for the oil to heat up nicely on medium high heat and then add the chopped onions (you should hear a sizzle when the onions hit the oil).

• 4) Fry the onions till they get a golden translucent colour to them. Should not take more then 5-7 minutes if not less.

• 5) Add the Garlic & fry for about 2-3 minutes

• 6) Add the Ginger & fry for another 2-3 minutes

• 7) Add the Green Chilies & fry all together for about 3 to 4 minutes, (by now raise this heat just a little bit, you will have to lower it again later)

• 8) Add the Cumin Seeds, Bay Leaves, cinnamon stick & Black peppercorns, fry for 2-3 minutes, till Cumin Seeds are slightly browned

• 9) Now add the Coriander Powder, Chili Powder, Ground Black Pepper Powder & Turmeric Powder and stir for about 2 minutes after which add 3/4 cup water and let it boil for about 5 minutes, till all the Masala is cooked. Make sure to stir on medium heat while your doing this on occasion. (DO NOT COVER AND COOK WHILE DOING THIS AS THE LIQUID NEEDS TO REDUCE!)

• 10) Now add the Tomatoes (Please realize Tomatoes hold a lot of water, so be careful how much you add).  Fry the Tomatoes along with the spice mix for about 7-8 minutes, at which time take your spatula or flat spoon to gently press on them till they flatten out (all the while stirring them).

• 11) Now add the boiled Eggs (Note: a lot of people like to put the eggs in whole, I prefer to cut them in half and then add them, it is totally up to you).  Stir the eggs with the Masala, make sure they are fully coated in the Masala, add some more water and let it boil till the Masala reduses and only a little bit of gravy is left, and if you want it completely dry then cook the Masala till all the water is gone, toss the eggs in & fry for like 5 minutes and your done!

This is my first recipe posted, so I hope all of you will try it out and let me know how it comes out! ENJOY! This should feed Two to Three People depending on how big your appetites are.  Its great with the next recipe I am going to post.