Dimer Dhokar Dalna - Steamed Egg Cakes in Tomato & Onion Gravy

Dimer Dhokar Dalna

An interesting variation to Egg Curry, eggs beaten with turmeric powder, salt, minced onions, tomatoes and green chilies are steamed in the microwave oven and cooked in a tomato-based gravy.

Dhoka, which means fake or deceptive in Bengali, refers to the vegetarian substitute for meat served on auspicious occasions. Dhokar Dalna is generally made with lentil cakes in gravy. The lentil cake method is tedious and time-consuming requiring soaking the lentils overnight, blending them the next day and cooking the paste until all liquid evaporates, then cutting the cake in cubes and frying the cubes until browned. In the process, a lot of oil is used and a lot of effort expended. 

Dimer Dhoka is much simpler to make, although it would not be considered a vegetarian dish. It doesn't require as much preparation and uses a lot less oil.

Ingredients:

6 eggs

1 large onion, minced

1 medium tomato, minced

2 green chilies, minced

1/2 tsp. turmeric powder

stalks from a bunch of cilantro, minced

2 Tbsp. melted butter

salt to taste
Gravy

1 russet potato, cubed and boiled

4 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1/4 tsp. cumin seeds

3 bay leaves

2 medium tomatoes, minced

1 cup deep-fried onions

1/2 tsp. ginger paste

1/4 tsp. garlic paste

1/2 tsp. Kashmiri mirch/paprika

1/2 tsp. garam masala powder

1 cup hot chicken broth

salt and sugar to taste

1 tsp. ghee

1/4 cup cilantro, minced

2-3 green chilies

Directions:

1. Beat eggs with next 7 ingredients and pour into a greased pie dish.
2. Microwave for 3-4 minutes until set.
3. Place a dinner plate over the pie dish and turn over, cut the egg cake into squares and set aside.
4. Heat oil in a skillet and sputter cumin seeds and bay leaves.
5. Add tomatoes and simmer until they break down completely.
6. Stir in onions, ginger and garlic pastes, paprika and garam masala powder.
7. Add potatoes, stir well and simmer until oil resurfaces.
8. Add broth and carefully drop egg cakes into gravy.
9. Adjust salt and sugar to taste and bring to a boil.
10. Carefully turn egg squares over and simmer for 2 minutes.
11. Garnish with ghee, cilantro and green chilies before serving.

Serve with hot, steamed rice or rotis.