Bengali Style Egg Curry (Dimer Dalna)
Recipe Summary
- This recipe demonstrates how to prepare a delicious Bengali-style egg curry, known as Dimer Dalna. It involves frying boiled eggs until golden brown, then simmering them in a rich, aromatic gravy made with onions, tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, and a blend of traditional Indian spices. This flavorful dish is perfect to serve with rice or various Indian breads.
All Ingredients - Main Ingredients
- Boiled Eggs 5
- Mustard Oil 4 tbsp
- Salt to taste
- Turmeric Powder 1.5 tsp
- Red Chili Powder 1.5 tsp
All Ingredients - For Gravy
- Bay Leaf 2
- Dried Red Chili 1
- Green Cardamom 2-3 pods
- Cloves 2-3
- Cinnamon Stick 1 small piece
- Onions 2 large, chopped
- Ginger-Garlic Paste 2 tbsp
- Tomatoes 2 medium, chopped
- Green Chilies 2-3, chopped
- Cumin Powder 1 tsp
- Coriander Powder 1 tsp
- Water 1.5 cups
- Garam Masala Powder 1 tsp
- Ghee 1 tsp
Tools You'll Need
- Pan
- Spatula
Don't have an ingredient? Try these swaps
No Egg?
- 1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water (rest 5 min) — Per egg, best in baking.
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce — Per egg, in sweet baked goods.
- 1/4 cup silken tofu, blended — Per egg.
No Bay leaf?
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme (per leaf)
- Pinch of dried oregano
No Onion?
- 1 tbsp onion powder (per medium onion)
- 3 tbsp dried minced onion
- Shallots or leeks (1:1)
No Garlic (fresh)?
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
No Garam masala?
- 1 tsp cumin + 1/2 tsp coriander + 1/4 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp cardamom
No Ghee?
- Unsalted butter (1:1)
- Neutral oil (1:1, lacks the toasted note)
⚠ Contains Allergens
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Eggs
Take 5 boiled eggs and make small cuts on their surface. Heat mustard oil in a pan.
Step 2: Fry the Eggs
Add the scored boiled eggs to the hot oil. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, and 1/2 tsp red chili powder over the eggs. Fry the eggs until they turn reddish-brown on all sides, then remove them from the pan and set aside.
Step 3: Sauté Whole Spices
In the same oil, add 2 bay leaves, 1 dried red chili, 2-3 green cardamom pods, 2-3 cloves, and 1 small piece of cinnamon stick. Sauté for a few seconds until fragrant.
Step 4: Cook Onions and Ginger-Garlic Paste
Add 2 large chopped onions to the pan and fry until they turn golden brown. Then, add 2 tablespoons of ginger-garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell disappears, about .
Step 5: Add Tomatoes and Green Chilies
Add 2 medium chopped tomatoes and 2-3 chopped green chilies to the pan. Mix well and cover the pan to allow the tomatoes to soften, cooking for about . Uncover and mash the tomatoes with your spatula.
Step 6: Add Dry Spices and Water
Add 1 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp red chili powder, 1 tsp cumin powder, and 1 tsp coriander powder to the pan. Add a splash of water to prevent burning and sauté the masala well until the oil separates from the mixture, about .
Step 7: Simmer the Gravy with Eggs
Pour 1.5 cups of water into the pan to form the gravy. Add salt to taste. Bring the gravy to a boil, then add the fried eggs. Gently mix the eggs into the simmering gravy and let it cook for .
Step 8: Finish and Serve
Sprinkle 1 tsp of garam masala powder over the curry and gently stir. Add 1 tsp of ghee and mix gently. Turn off the heat. The Bengali style egg curry is now ready to be served hot with rice or Indian breads.
Pro Tips
• Ensure the eggs are scored before frying to allow the spices to penetrate better.
• Adjust the amount of green chilies and red chili powder according to your spice preference.
• Cook the onion-tomato masala thoroughly until the oil separates for a rich gravy.
Recipe Variations
• Add boiled potatoes along with the eggs for a heartier curry.
• Garnish with fresh coriander leaves for added flavor and freshness.
Similar RecipesYou might also like
Other recipes in the same cuisine, meal type, or style — ready to cook whenever you are.
Chicken Biryani – Hyderabadi Style
Cuisine
Indian · Hyderabadi
Prep + Cook Time
1 hr 16 min
Difficulty Level
Medium
Kothu Parotta – Village Style
Cuisine
Indian · South Indian
Prep + Cook Time
2 hr 30 min
Difficulty Level
Medium
Chicken Yakhni Pulao - A Royal Dish
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
2 hr
Difficulty Level
Medium
Amritsari Chole Bhature
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
2 hr 45 min
Difficulty Level
Medium
Vegetable Biryani – The Bombay Chef
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
1 hr 5 min
Difficulty Level
Medium
Sabse Aasaan Chole Recipe – Punjabi Style
Cuisine
Indian · Punjabi
Prep + Cook Time
30 Minutes
Difficulty Level
Comments
Sign in to leave a comment on this recipe.
Loading comments...