Quick and Easy Malaysian Egg Curry Recipe

There are various ways to prepare curry, but the Malaysian version typically features spices such as cloves, star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom. The unique blend of spices in Malaysian curry sets it apart from other varieties, like Indian curries. This egg curry recipe is also an excellent way to utilize leftover eggs.

Let’s dive into the details of how to prepare this delightful dish.

🛒 Ingredients Needed for Easy Malaysian Egg Curry

The essential ingredients for this egg curry recipe include:

• Eggs: Begin with hard-boiled eggs. For the cooking process, you should use cooked eggs rather than raw ones. A separate recipe is available for perfect hard-boiled eggs.
• Curry Paste Ingredients: Blend large onions, garlic, and red chilies into a paste using a food processor or blender. For a spicier curry, include some red chili, but remove the seeds if you prefer a milder flavor.
• Potato: Cut a potato into wedges and slice one medium-sized tomato.
• Tomato: Use one fresh tomato, roughly chopped, or substitute with tomato puree or paste. The potato and tomatoes will help thicken the curry base.
• Spices: Required spices include a cinnamon stick, star anise, cardamom, and cloves. This combination, known as Empat Sekawan, is commonly used in Malay cooking. While you can omit these if unavailable, they significantly enhance the flavor.
• Curry Leaves: A staple in Malaysian cuisine, curry leaves are essential for most local curries. If you can’t find them outside of Asia, consider purchasing them from an Indian or Asian grocery store, or omit them if necessary.
• Coconut Cream: Freshly pressed coconut cream is ideal for Malaysian-style curries. If using packaged coconut cream, ensure it is labeled for cooking, as cooking coconut cream has a higher fat content than drinking coconut milk.
• Curry Powder: For an authentic Malaysian flavor, use Malaysian curry powder. If unavailable, Indian curry powder is a close alternative.

❓ What is Malaysian Curry Powder?

Malaysian curry powder is a blend of various spices, primarily coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, fennel powder, chili, cloves, and cinnamon. The specific combination may vary among brands.

👉 How to Cook Easy Malaysian Egg Curry

1. Bring water to a boil and add the raw eggs, ensuring they are fully submerged. Lower the heat and boil for 15 minutes. Peel the eggs and set them aside.
2. Blend the onions, chili, and garlic with water until a paste forms.
3. Heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok. Sauté minced ginger and garlic until fragrant. Alternatively, ginger garlic paste can be used.
4. Add the cinnamon bark, star anise, cardamom, and cloves. Continue sautéing over low heat until aromatic.
5. Mix the curry powder with the blended onion paste, then combine it with the dry spices in the pan.
6. Add the potatoes, tomatoes, and a cup of water. Cook over medium heat until the potatoes are tender. Adjust the water as needed.
7. Add fresh curry leaves and pour in the freshly pressed coconut milk.
8. Season with salt and sugar to taste, balancing the acidity of the tomatoes.
9. Return the peeled eggs to the curry and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
10. Garnish with coriander leaves and fresh curry leaves. Serve with steamed rice or Indian bread.

💡 Tips and Notes for the Best Egg Curry

• Using freshly ground whole spices is ideal, but ready-made curry powder can save time in daily cooking. Check the expiration date for freshness.
• Add Kashmiri red chili powder for a vibrant red color. You can use a wok or a pan for cooking.
• Make shallow cuts on the hard-boiled eggs to allow the curry flavor to penetrate more effectively.
• Although you can serve the egg curry immediately, it tastes even better after a few hours when the flavors meld.

More About Malaysian Curry

The flavor profile of Malaysian curry differs from other curries due to several factors:

1. The primary spices in most Malaysian curries include cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, and clove, unlike Indian curries that use garam masala, cumin, coriander, and kasuri methi.
2. Malaysian curry often features curry and coriander leaves, with common ingredients like tomatoes, potatoes, and red onions. Red chilies are preferred over green chilies in Malaysian cooking.

🍽️ Other Egg Recipes for Your Busy Schedule

If you enjoyed this easy egg curry recipe, you might also like the following egg-based dishes:

• Tomato egg stir-fry, a quick and comforting dish popular in Chinese households.
• Egg drop soup, an easy Chinese soup recipe that relies on a high-quality soup base.
• Chinese steamed eggs, garnished with spring onions and light soy sauce, perfect with white rice.