We all know that Sir Paul McCartney is a huge advocate for Meat-Free Mondays, encouraging us to reduce our meat intake for the benefit of our health and the planet.

As a lifelong fan of The Beatles, I always respected his music, but I'll admit, I wasn't always his biggest fan. Some of his public antics, like a weird thumbs-up moment at a theater event, left me feeling unimpressed.

But here's the thing—I'm a die-hard carnivore. Still, even I can't ignore the simple fact that cutting down on meat is better for the environment. So, I thought, why not give it a shot at least one day a week?

And that's where this delicious Burmese Egg Curry, also known as Kyet-u Chet (literally “chicken egg cooked”), comes in. It's a vegetarian dish, yet it's full of rich flavors and will definitely surprise you with how tasty it is. Trust me—whether you're doing it for Paul or just looking for something new, this dish is a winner!

The Ingredients You'll Need

For this Egg Curry, here's what we'll need:

• 8 large eggs

• 400g tin of chopped tomatoes

• 3 medium onions

• A small bunch of fresh coriander (cilantro)

• 6 curry leaves (optional but recommended)

• 1 teaspoon of tamarind paste (or a small cube of tamarind block, or 1 teaspoon of lemon juice)

• 1 tablespoon of sweet paprika

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric

• 1 teaspoon of chili powder

• 1 teaspoon of fish sauce (optional)

• 1 tablespoon of peanut oil (or any vegetable oil)

• A pinch of MSG (or half a vegetable stock cube)

Preparing the Tamarind Paste

If you're using a tamarind block, you'll need to soak it overnight in 100ml of boiling water. Once it softens, break it down into a thick paste, removing any stones or fibrous bits. If you're using tamarind paste, you can skip this step and simply add it to the mix. We're aiming for a deep, tangy flavor that gives this curry its unique twist!

Cooking the Curry Sauce

Now that we have everything ready, let's start cooking. Begin by chopping the coriander stems finely, reserving the leaves for later use. Dice the onions, and heat the oil in a saucepan. Once the oil is hot, toss in the onions and coriander stems. Sauté them until they soften, and then add the chopped tomatoes, tamarind paste, curry leaves (if using), sweet paprika, turmeric, chili powder, fish sauce, and MSG or vegetable stock cube.

Let this mixture simmer on medium heat for about 1-2 hours until it reduces and thickens. Stir occasionally to avoid any burning. Once it's reduced and has a smooth consistency, use a hand blender or a potato masher to break down any lumps. Keep the sauce simmering gently while we prepare the eggs.

How to Perfectly Boil the Eggs

The secret to a perfect Burmese Egg Curry is getting the eggs just right. We want them hard-boiled with creamy yolks. Here's how we'll do it:

• Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover them with cold water.

• Turn the heat to high and wait until the water starts boiling and bubbling vigorously.

• As soon as it boils, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for an additional 4 minutes.

• Once done, remove the eggs from the heat and immediately place them under cold, running water to stop the cooking process.

Once they've cooled, peel the eggs and slice each one in half. Now, it's time to bring them into the curry sauce.

Bringing It All Together

With the sauce simmering and the eggs ready, gently stir the egg halves into the curry sauce. Coat the eggs evenly with the flavorful sauce, making sure every piece gets a good soak. To finish, sprinkle some chopped coriander leaves over the top for a fresh burst of flavor.

Serve the curry hot with some fluffy white rice on the side. You can also add some fresh vegetables like cucumber or radish slices to balance out the richness of the curry.

A Fun Beatles Egg Twist

Before I leave you to enjoy this delicious dish, let me share an amusing little Beatles tidbit. Did you know the original lyrics to the song “Yesterday” were about scrambled eggs? Legend has it, Paul McCartney came up with the tune, and at first, it was all about eggs! The original lyrics went something like this:

Scrambled eggs,

Have an omelette with some Muenster cheese,

Put your dishes in the washbin please,

So I can clean the scrambled eggs.

Imagine a whole Beatles song dedicated to eggs! If you ever need a good laugh, you can find the full “scrambled eggs” version online.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're on board with Meat-Free Mondays or just looking for something new and exciting to try, this Burmese Egg Curry is a fantastic choice. It's packed with flavor, easy to make, and a great way to enjoy a hearty, meat-free meal. So, let's make it together, and remember: whether you're doing it for the planet or just to spice up your dinner routine, it's totally worth it!