There’s a certain charm in the unplanned, spontaneous moments that often lead to the most memorable experiences. One such delightful episode unfolded on a warm afternoon, where the simplest of street foods turned into a culinary delight. Let me take you back to that day when Tania and I found ourselves waiting for Judhajit under the shade of a tree, parked by the side of a bustling road.

Judhajit had gone on a home call, leaving Tania and me with some time to kill. We parked our car near a small food stall that was whipping up a variety of egg dishes – boiled eggs, omelettes, you name it. The enticing aroma of sizzling butter and spices wafted through the air, piquing our interest.

As we stood there, Tania’s eyes lit up when I asked, “Fancy trying some fried boiled eggs while we wait for Judhajit?” She didn’t need to be asked twice. With a nod and a smile, she agreed, and we approached the vendor with eager anticipation.

The vendor swiftly began his preparation. He sliced the boiled eggs in half and sautéed them in butter until they achieved a perfect golden, crispy finish. Next, he fried finely chopped onions, green chillies, and fresh coriander leaves, seasoning the mixture with a touch of salt for an impeccable flavour. The result was a plate of warm, buttery, and mildly spicy fried boiled eggs that looked just as enticing as they smelled. He presented them to us on saal leaves.

Just as we were about to dig in, Judhajit returned and joined us. The three of us enjoyed our impromptu snack, savouring every bite. The eggs were a perfect balance of soft and crispy textures, with the onions and chillies adding a burst of flavour that danced on our taste buds. It was such a simple dish, yet it was incredibly satisfying.

Inspired by the delicious experience, I snapped a photo of the fried boiled eggs and posted it on Instagram. That evening, one of my school batchmates, Atish, called me from Kolkata. He and his wife Shoma had seen the photo and were intrigued. They loved the look of the dish and wanted to know how it was prepared.

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A post shared by Indrajit Roy Choudhury (@indrosphere)

Sharing the recipe with Atish brought back the joy of that day. Here it is, for anyone else who might want to recreate this delightful street food at home:

Recipe for Fried Boiled Eggs:

1. Hard-Boil the Eggs: If you don’t already have boiled eggs in your fridge, start by boiling some fresh ones. Let them cool to room temperature before proceeding.
2. Halve the Eggs: Once cooled, cut the eggs in half lengthwise.
3. Sauté in Butter: Heat a generous amount of butter in a pan. Place the egg halves in the pan, cut side down, and sauté until they turn golden brown. Flip them gently to sauté the other side as well. Then remove the eggs from the pan.
4. Prepare the Spices: In the same pan, add a bit more butter if needed. Fry small pieces of onion, green chillies, and coriander leaves. Season with salt to taste.You may add other spices and items to add to this dish as per your preference and taste.
5. Combine and Serve: Once the onions are golden and the chillies are cooked, pour the mixture over the fried eggs. Serve hot and enjoy the buttery, crispy delight!

Not only are these fried boiled eggs a treat for your taste buds, but they are also suitable for low-carb, keto, and gluten-free diets.

Reflecting on that day, it’s clear that sometimes, the simplest pleasures can bring the most joy. So, the next time you find yourself with a few boiled eggs and some basic spices, try whipping up this delightful dish. Who knows? It might just become your new favourite snack.