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Bengali Egg Curry (Dimer Dalna) – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

Bengali Egg Curry (Dimer Dalna)

A classic Bengali Egg Curry, or Dimer Dalna. This dish is a beautiful example of how simple, everyday ingredients can transform into something deeply comforting and flavorful. It’s a rich, aromatic curry that wraps perfectly boiled eggs in a spiced tomato gravy.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • (Serves 4)
  • 1¾-inch / 4.5 cm piece of ginger, peeled and chopped
  • 5 cloves of garlic, chopped
  • 1¼ teaspoons salt, divided
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml / 1.5 fl oz) canola oil
  • 2 red onions, finely diced
  • 2 Indian bay leaves (Tej Patta)
  • 21 ounces (600 g / 21.2 oz) crushed tomatoes (1½ x 14-ounce cans)
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml / 0.2 fl oz) ground red chile
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1½ teaspoons garam masala
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • 8 large eggs
  • Pro-Tips for the Perfect Curry
  • For extra flavor and texture, lightly fry the peeled, boiled eggs in a little oil with a pinch of turmeric and red chile powder until golden before adding them to the curry.
  • Indian bay leaves (Tej Patta) have a distinct, cinnamon-like aroma. If you can't find them, it's better to omit them rather than substitute with European bay leaves.
  • The curry base can be made a day in advance. Simply reheat and add the freshly boiled eggs when you're ready to eat.

Method
 

  1. Create the flavor base: In a mortar and pestle, grind the ginger, garlic, and ¼ teaspoon of salt into a smooth paste.
  2. Set aside. 2.
  3. Sauté the aromatics: Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  4. Add the finely diced red onions and Indian bay leaves, frying for about 10 minutes until the onions are soft and lightly browned. 3.
  5. Cook the paste and tomatoes: Add the ginger-garlic paste to the pan and fry for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
  6. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened. 4.
  7. Add the spices: Stir in the ground red chile, cinnamon, cumin, garam masala, turmeric, the remaining 1 teaspoon (5 ml / 0.2 fl oz) of salt, and the sugar.
  8. Cook for another 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the oil to begin separating from the sauce. 5.
  9. Boil the eggs: While the curry simmers, place the eggs in a separate pan and cover with water.
  10. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 6-7 minutes for a jammy yolk. Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath or run under cold water to stop the cooking process, then peel. 6.
  11. Combine and serve: Gently halve the peeled eggs and fold them into the finished curry.
  12. Serve immediately with fluffy basmati rice or warm naan bread.
  13. Adjust the heat by increasing or decreasing the amount of ground red chile to suit your preference.
  14. Garnish with a handful of fresh, chopped cilantro (coriander) just before serving for a burst of freshness.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 18gFat: 30g

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