Egg Malai Curry(ডিমের মালাইকারি)

 **ডিমের মালাইকারি (Egg Malai Curry)** is a rich and creamy Bengali dish made with eggs cooked in a fragrant coconut and cream-based gravy. Here’s how you can make it:

### Ingredients:

- Eggs: 4-6 (boiled)

- Onion: 2 medium-sized (finely chopped or made into paste)

- Ginger-garlic paste: 1 tablespoon

- Green chilies: 2-3 (slit)

- Cumin seeds: ½ teaspoon

- Bay leaf: 1

- Cinnamon stick: 1 small piece

- Cardamom: 2-3

- Cloves: 2-3

- Turmeric powder: ½ teaspoon

- Red chili powder: ½ teaspoon

- Garam masala powder: ½ teaspoon

- Fresh cream: ¼ cup (optional)

- Coconut milk: 1 cup

- Cashew paste: 2 tablespoons (soak 10 cashews in warm water and make a paste)

- Ghee: 2 tablespoons

- Mustard oil/vegetable oil: 3 tablespoons

- Salt: to taste

- Sugar: 1 teaspoon

- Fresh coriander leaves: for garnish

### Instructions:

1. **Boil and fry the eggs:**

   - Boil the eggs, peel them, and make small slits on them.

   - Heat oil in a pan and lightly fry the boiled eggs until golden brown. Remove and keep aside.

2. **Prepare the spice base:**

   - In the same pan, add cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.

   - Add the finely chopped onions or onion paste and sauté until golden brown.

   - Add ginger-garlic paste and green chilies, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until raw smell disappears.

3. **Cook the masala:**

   - Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well and sauté until the oil starts separating from the masala.

   - Stir in the cashew paste and cook for a minute.

4. **Add coconut milk and simmer:**

   - Pour in the coconut milk and sugar. Stir everything together and bring to a gentle simmer.

   - Let it cook for 5-7 minutes until the gravy thickens slightly.

5. **Add the cream and eggs:**

   - Add the fresh cream (optional for extra richness) and mix.

   - Gently place the fried eggs into the gravy and coat them with the malai sauce.

   - Add garam masala powder and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

6. **Garnish and serve:**

   - Once the gravy reaches your desired consistency, remove from heat.

   - Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

   - Serve hot with steamed rice, pulao, or paratha.

Enjoy your delicious ডিমের মালাইকারি!