For the Love of Eggs

13 June 2018 By Latasha

For Indians and Asians, eggs are a source of protein and are often consumed as a main dish. Similarly with duck and quail eggs.

Many people in the sub-continent consider eggs an important part of their diet and cuisine, as well as a way of eating less meat. Eggs are variously considered as a poor man’s food, street food, fast food and comfort food. So families in these regions stir-fry eggs into vegetables such as cabbage, green beans or fried rice and noodles, providing protein to the family.

Personally, I find egg curries quick and easy to make, and just as delicious as a meat or vegetarian curry.

Egg dishes in South Asian and South East Asia

There are many variations throughout this region. In the Philippines, people make tarlong talong with aubergine, while the Chinese make shanghai fu yong omelettes. Thais make interesting egg parcels and street food fried eggs with minced pork topped with sauces. Malaysians and Indonesians enjoy their sambal eggs, belado eggs, eggs in stir-fried vegetables, noodles, fried rice, in soups and various karis. Regional Indians poach, fry, scramble, boil or pan-fry eggs and use them in curried forms or gravy style dishes. They also use savoury omelettes in sandwich fillings.

Interesting ways with Eggs

Egg curries are quick and easy to make, and are just as delicious as a meat or vegetarian curry. Whole boiled eggs can be dropped into lentil and vegetable stews or chicken and potato curries. And the best part of using eggs is that you just boil them, add into leftover curries to absorb the flavours and you have another dish. Very economical. I recall mum making chicken curry and using the leftovers with boiled eggs and potatoes the next day. Total comfort food.

Eggs can also be incorporated with cheese, cream, buttermilk and coconut and turned into frittata, quiches, pancakes, savoury omelettes and a number of other quick tasty meals. By choosing different herbs and spices, a number of variations can be easily incorporated.

Take your fried eggs to another level by sprinkling over this easy salt and spice mix. Combine 1 teaspoon roasted ground cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon mixed black and white pepper, 1 teaspoon coriander seeds and 2 teaspoons sea salt.

Use leftover baked vegetables to make interesting masala omelettes such as Madras omelette, turmeric and vegetable omelette or a frittata style baked dish topped with Latasha’s Kitchen Zingy Tomato Chutney.

Celebration Eggs

Eggs can also be the central part of a festive table for Easter, birthdays and other occasions. Dishes to make include Biryani, Korma or Tikka Egg Masala also Eggs in Coconut Vindaloo Curry Sauce.

Homestyle Egg Curry, Coriander Egg Masala, Egg Rendang or Tandoori Baked Egg are also enjoyable main dishes. Meanwhile, Egg Slice Masala is a delicious gravy-based dish where hard boiled eggs are sliced, shallow fried and simmered in a spicy and fragrant onion-tomato base.

While some egg dishes involve a bit of preparation adding Latasha’s Kitchen curry pastes, sauces and condiments plus imagination and creativity make it worth the effort. Allowing all those egg lovers out there to put something nutritious on the table any day of the week.

So get cracking!!!!

Delicious egg recipes to try:

• Latasha’s Madras Egg Omelettes
• Rogan Josh Masala Eggs
• Easy cocktail eggs
• Eggs in Coconut Vindaloo Sauce
• Coriander Egg Curry
• Egg Omelette Curry
• Tikka Egg Masala
• Egg Korma