That the easy peasy Poached Egg curry was a dish with a fancy name (Shashouka), was something I learnt during random cookery reels on social media.
In my kitchen this simple poached egg curry was born around 27 years back when I had started living on my own and more importantly started cooking without Ma's supervision. No need to boil the eggs...Easy, Quick, dinner ready in minutes.
Much much later, came to know that it's a dish on its own merit with a fancy name too.
Here's my Bangali Shashouka or Poached Dimer Dalna :
Ingredients : (Serves 4)
1. Eggs - 4
2. Chopped Onions - 2
3. Pureed Tomatoes - I used 4. .... The more the merrier...completely a personal choice
4. Whole Garam Masala - Cinnamon. Cardamom (green), Cloves
5. Whole dry Red Chili - 1 or 2
6. Bay Leaf / Tej Pata - 1 or 2
7. Ginger Garlic Paste
8. Whole garlic cloves - because I love fried garlic...may be skipped
9. Masala Paste - Turmeric+Cumin+Coriander+Red Chili+ Kashmiri Chili
10. Salt to taste
11. Milk Cream (Accumulated Malai) - a bowl...again completely optional...I had a bowl ...hence used
12. Chopped Coriander Leaves
13. Green Chilies-As per heat tolerance
14. Mustard Oil - 3 tbspn
Procedure :
1. Heat mustard oil until it reaches smoking point. Add whole garam masala, red chilies, and bay leaves to temper.
2. Add garlic cloves (if using) until lightly browned. Then add onions, ginger-garlic paste, and a pinch of sugar. Sauté until golden.
3. Stir in tomato puree. Cover and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
4. Now add the masala paste mentioned at Sl.9 of Ingredients followed by the malai / milk cream..Cook on high for 3–4 minutes to eliminate raw flavors.
5. Now make four (or as many eggs you have) circular hollows on the bed of the gravy. (Picture 5). Break the eggs one at a time into the hollows. I break the eggs , one at a time into a small bowl and slide each egg into the hollow gently. Lower the flame. Cover and cook till the eggs solidify. If you like runny yolks, the cooking time at this stage will be lower. This is a personal choice.
6. Garnish with chopped coriander, slit green chilies. Serve with rice, bread or just as it is. ....
We had our shakshouka style easy Bengali egg curry for dinner with steamed rice.