Stir Fried Boiled Egg

The Pune weather has really undergone a lot of changes in the past couple of years. I remember 4 years ago when I was staying in Navi Mumbai, I had visited Pune along with my mother around the starting of November and God it was some cold. The moment we had come out of the temperature controlled comforts of the Volvo we were greeted by bone freezing chilly air. Hardly prepared for such a cold whether when in Mumbai it was still warm and toasty, we almost spent the entire weekend shivering.

Global warming, pulling down mountain after mountain to make place for 'chic planned cities', increasing vehicles and pollution, population burst have all contributed to the decline of Pune weather which was once as good as Bangalore weather. The outskirts of the city still enjoy the remnants of what once used to be hills, but sadly enough the hills are now dotted only with brick and mortar skyscapers rather than wild flora and fauna. We stay in Anandnagar which was once considered a remote part of Pune but very soon would be consumed by the tentacles of the rapidly growing city limits. Whenever we get some time in the evening we go to the terrace. The billowing lights all around does make it look as if Diwali never ceases to exist in Pune, but also makes us see the reality that even the remotest hilltop is not saved from human intervention. "Valley view" housing societies make sure they grab the best location in town so as to grab the elitest of clientele.

Year by year as the seasons are forgetting their original characteristics. Summer merrily eats away the monsoon seasons, the rains hardly make their presence felt and the the famous "gulabi thandi" of Pune- a season when your cheeks turn a shade of rosey pink have all gotten lost in transition somewhere. With December creeping in and the need to still put the fans on is quite a surprising thing. All over India, apart from the northern limits, winter seems to have forgotten its way. We spent the last weekend in Panchgani  but even at the hill station the temperature was like normal Pune temperature. Yesterday the papers had claimed that it was the effect of some easterly winds that was responsible for the high temperature and from today onward Pune would see a drop in the mercury. Considering the heat level yesterday I had hardly pinned any hopes. But when we woke up today morning at 7 am, the entire neighborhood was wrapped in a soft blanket of fog. I could barely make out the shops below. As I nudged through the window to really believe what I was seeing, I felt a waft of chilly air brush through my face. I recoiled as an instant reaction, my breath made a small circle of fog on the cold window. As I closed the window shut, I was smiling. Finally the time of cuddling inside a warm blanket with a cup of steaming coffee while watching a nice suspense movie has arrived. Today is also the much hyped doomsday 12-12-12. if I am lucky enough to survive the predictions of the Mayan Calender, I would look forward to enjoy each and every day of this lovely winter weather as long as it lasts.

Egg keeps your body warm, so winter is the time to try and experiment with a lot of egg preparations. So I decided to improvise on boiled eggs. Once again something really quick , easy and tasty. This recipe takes the best of both worlds North and South, maybe a dash of East and West as well.


Preparation Time: 5 minutes 

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Serves:2

Cuisine: Fusion

Ingredients: 

• Boiled Eggs - 4
• Curry Leaves - 1 twig
• Green Chillies - 2 slitted ( you may increase the number depending on your spice tolerance level)
• Onion - 1 (medium sized)
• Ginger Paste / freshly grated ginger - 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric Powder -  1 pinch
• Methi  Seeds - 1/4 tsp
• Kasuri Methi -  1/2 tsp
• Red chilli  powder - 1 pinch
• Cumin Powder - 1 pinch
• Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
• Fresh coriander leaves - 1/4 cup (garnishing purpose)
• Garam masala powder - 1 pinch
• Sugar to taste
• Salt to taste
• Refined oil - 1 tsp

Procedure:

 

1. Shell the eggs and cut them into longitudinal quarters.

2. Slice the onions and grate the ginger.

3. Heat oil in a wok. When the oil is heated toss in the slitted chillies, methi seeds, onion, grated ginger, curry leaves, Fry for a few minutes till the onion is softened.

4. Add the turmeric, red chilli, cumin powder, coriander powder,garam masala, salt and sugar. Add the Kasuri Methi and cook for 5 minutes.

5. When the mixture is fragrant add the quartered eggs. Mix them carefully with the mixture, so that the egg doesn't break or the yolk comes out. Cook for 5 more minutes. The eggs should be well coated with the mixture so as to absorb the flavours nicely.

6. Turn off the heat. Garnish it with chopped fresh coriander leaves. If you have coconut available at hand you can chop a handful of coconut and sprinkle on the stir fried eggs to add nuttiness to the preparation. You can serve it with Rice or Rotis (Indian Flatbread). Since this is a dry dish its recommended that you serve it along with Daal (lentil soup) as well.