Eggs are a convenient source of protein and can be used in many quick everyday dishes. A boiled egg can also be part of a simple breakfast, depending on your preferences and overall meal plan.
This Muttai Thokku is an easy tomato-based egg side dish made with onions, garlic, fennel seeds, curry leaves, and a few basic spices. The boiled eggs absorb the flavorful tomato masala and make a satisfying accompaniment for rice or chapati.
Muttai Thokku / Egg Thokku
Recipe Details
Side Dish
South Indian
Sashi
20 minutes
10 minutes
30 minutes
2
Ingredients
- Eggs – 4
- Water – as needed, for boiling the eggs
- Oil – 2 tsp
- Fennel seeds – 1/2 tsp
- Curry leaves – 1 sprig
- Onion – 1 medium, chopped
- Garlic – 6 cloves, chopped
- Tomatoes – 3, chopped
- Red chili powder – 3/4 tsp
- Coriander powder – 1/2 tsp
- Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
- Salt – to taste
- Coriander leaves – from about 2 stalks, chopped
Preparation
- Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover them with water.
- Bring the water to a boil, then cook the eggs for about 10–12 minutes for firm yolks.
- Cool the eggs, peel off the shells, and cut each egg into two halves.
- Chop the onion, tomatoes, garlic, and coriander leaves.
Cooking Instructions
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add the fennel seeds and allow them to sizzle.
- Add the curry leaves and fry for about 10 seconds.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent.
- Add the chopped garlic and fry for about 1 minute, until aromatic.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and mushy.
- Add the red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and salt.
- Fry the masala for about 1 minute over low to medium heat.
- Add the boiled egg halves and gently coat them with the tomato masala.
- Cook for about 3 minutes so the eggs absorb some of the flavor.
- Add the chopped coriander leaves, mix gently, and remove from the heat.
Tips
Boiled Eggs: Avoid cooking the eggs much longer than needed, as overcooking can make the whites rubbery and may create a gray-green ring around the yolks.
Tomato Masala: Cook the tomatoes until they are completely soft before adding the spice powders for a smoother thokku-style consistency.
Handle Gently: Once the boiled eggs are added, mix carefully so the pieces remain intact.
Coconut Variation: A little ground coconut can be added to the tomato masala for a richer variation, if desired.
Serving Suggestion
Serve Muttai Thokku hot as a side dish with steamed white rice, chapati, roti, or dosa.
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