The Chettinad style egg curry is rich and flavourful with the addition of traditional spices and condiments. Chettinad cuisine is known for its spiciness and the use of fresh ground masalas. Chetinadu is a place in the southern state of Tamil Nadu and the cuisine is fairly simple and easy.
The very first dish that I had learned to cook was my Dad's Special Egg Roast. Cooking with him is one of my fondest memories in life. This is one go-to dish whenever I need a quick side dish for dinner. Dad and I cherish it with lightly toasted slices of bread, roti/Indian flatbreads. However, my husband enjoys his curries and gravies and ever since I've been wanting to try out a great Egg curry recipe.
Chettinad Spice Mix for Curries
Chettinad cuisine calls for fresh ground spices including coriander seeds, fennel, cumin, dry red chilies, peppercorns, clove, cardamom, and cinnamon. These are first dry roasted before grinding. I have added this masala powder to my regular egg curry, along with little water to get the perfect Chettinad style Egg curry. I also use about half teaspoon of this spice mix in other curries like Chicken curry or Paneer Masala to enhance the flavour. It is more like my alternative to Garam Masala powder and can be stored in airtight containers for two weeks.
Dry roast 4 red chilies, 2 small cinnamon sticks, 1-star anise, 4 cloves and cardamom, 2 teaspoons each of cumin seeds, coriander seeds and fennel seeds. Grind them coarsely.
There are different versions to this egg curry. I have not used coconut or coconut milk its preparation. I love to serve this curry with hot fluffy rice, rotis or bread. Oh, it goes well with slightly toasted bread.
Chettinad Egg Curry Recipe:
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Egg Curry | Chettinad Style
- Total Time: 0 hours
Ingredients
- 3 eggs, boiled and sliced into half
- 5 tablespoon oil
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- Salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 2 sprigs of curry leaves
- 1 cup of shallots/onion , finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon garlic, mashed
- 3 green chilies, slit
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoon Chettinad Spice Mix
- ¾ cup of finely chopped tomatoes
- 1 ½ cup of water
Instructions
- Heat a teaspoon of oil in a pan. Add a pinch of turmeric powder and salt.
- Add the sliced eggs and fry them on both sides in medium heat. Keep aside.
- In the same pan, add rest of the oil and when hot, add mustard seeds.
- When it splutters, add a sprig of curry leaves and shallots/onions. Add little salt and saute well.
- Add ginger, garlic, green chilies, turmeric powder and chili powder. Saute.
- Add Chettinad spice mix and mix well.
- Add tomatoes and mix well. Cook until oil oozes out.
- Add water and mix well. Let it boil for about 2-3 minutes.
- Add fried eggs and cook covered for about five minutes, until the gravy thickens.
- Garnish with curry leaves and serve hot with rice or chapathi.
- Prep Time: 0 hours
- Cook Time: 0 hours
Tips to make a perfect Chettinad Egg curry
Chef says:
Yes, shallots is preferred over onions for preparing this curry. But for unfortunate souls like me who doesn't find it in markets, use onion.
Preparing the spice mix beforehand is great. Do not worry of you have it in excess. Add a little to that chicken curry or any other gravy. Trust me, it is yum!
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Smita says
This looks so yummy, going to try this for sure soon
Rajlakshmi says
yumm yumm yummm 😀 you make everything look so delicious 😀
Sanch | Sanch Writes says
My mum used to make egg curry but I don't know what style. I loved the yolk!
Vidya Sury says
I am going to try this. A friend of mine often made a Hyderabadi style egg curry and I loved how the egg absorbed the flavors. Yummy. Looks like I must buy eggs when I shop next!
Love all the recipes so far, Shalini! And the photos are especially great!
dew cool says
Looks so yum Thanks for sharing
Lata Sunil says
Just reading is making my mouth water. My next egg curry will be with this recipe.
zainab says
Love chettinad chicken...this recipe I will make soon :))
Soumya says
Oh man, that gravy is making my mouth water! 🙂
If only I could cook egg at home 🙁
Mocktail mommies says
The picture on your blog itself made my mouth water!!! Can't wait to try out this curry. Also, thanks for the recipe of the chettinad spice mix..will be useful for other curries.
Sophie Duncan says
I've never tried an egg curry, but your description sounds yummy 🙂
Sophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles - Dragon Diaries
Medha Nagur says
I love egg curry but have never tried chettinad style. This is due for this weekend. Thanks for sharing this recipe.... Looks yum!!!
Sheethal says
Last time when Mom and Dad went for vacation, leaving me and my siblings alone, it automatically fell upon my shoulders to feed them. One day it was Chettinad Egg curry (Recipe courtesy Google and my own ingredients). But it turned out too spicy (green chilly+chilly powder+black pepper)... that I ended up adding coconut milk and even sugar to make it edible.
That's how horrible I'm in cooking.
But this is my one of my fav dish ... when mom makes.
Bellybytes says
Sadly I'm too busy with this challenge and other things else would have loved to have tried this now since I love eggs
Sreesha says
Yummy! So glad you made it without coconut. Most Chettinad style recipes use it, and grating it is such a chore!
Deepa says
I make egg curry a lot but never try the chettinad style. This looks yummy and tempting.
Afshan says
This is just so yummy - mouth watering
Actually bookmarking to try sometime this week
Kaddu says
This looks delicious! I want to have some now!
But tell me... how is your egg curry so brownish in color? Mine turns like orangish-yellow. I usually put everything in my mixie (onion, tomato etc, plus all the spices) and make a paste.
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rads says
That was some delicious looking curry! Lovely space you have here 🙂
My Era says
I love Egg Curry and your super tempting recipe shall be tried soon. Bookmarked!
Roshan Radhakrishnan says
staple in any mallu household. I was sure E had to be Egg curry! 😀
Uma says
Looks very very yummm.
John Holton says
Looks good! I haven't had much Indian cuisine, so I can't say I've either had this or would know what it tastes like. But it looks like something I'd like.
Tina Basu says
i just had egg curry in dinner tonight - though not chettinad style. have to make this way once.
Vinay Leo R. says
Something we make often, and something I love to bits! 😀 Yummmmm.
Awkward Earthling says
And this is why I miss home !!!
Mom's curry !! All this reminds me of all that !!!.