Kerala Egg Puffs

Do you believe in guardian angels? I do. I was introduced to the concept by my grandparents, during my childhood days. I’m not sure what got me fascinated about angels, but somehow the idea of your own “kaval malakha” (guardian angel) still hold very dear to me. I’ve even started collecting miniature guardian angels.

Though I was introduced to the concept under religious circumstances, I no longer associate it with just religion only. Today, the scope of guardian angel is far and wide for me. Every time life throws me a curveball, guardian angel covers me with a safety net. I’m not just referring to critical situations…

If you are wondering what’s the connection between guardian angels and egg puffs, for me there is a connection. Stay with me for a minute, there’s a lil bit of background info.

Do you remember about my irrational fear of dogs? I don’t know how to describe it, but the moment I see a dog, fear takes over my body and I become completely helpless. This is no exaggeration!!

Now, if you’ve been to Bangalore, you might know how stray dogs rule. I’m not sure if it’s like that today, but that was the case when I lived there. At that time, traveling by myself was a nightmare because of this.

If and when I see a dog, I’d turn to the person right next to me, irrespective of whoever they are. Because of that I’ve come across different kinds of people. Some people are very kind and helpful, some half-heartedly help, some just walk away!

There was a bakery called “Kamala Bakery” near our apartment in Bangalore. For some reason the road from Kamala Bakery to our apartment was dug up and there was no means to reach our flat other than walking. Though it’s just 5 mins distance, you will see a min of 7-10 dogs along the road. Because of that, it always felt like a long way home.

During those days Kamala Bakery was managed by a group of young guys from Malabar (Northern Kerala). They used to have really good Meat Puffs and Egg Puffs. I used to wake up dreaming about their puffs.

It was the right amount of crispiness and flakiness and their masala was absolutely flavourful! Because of this my friends and myself were regular customers there. It’s not just us, their puffs were the best selling ones, I remember sometimes waiting for a fresh batch to come in, since they got over so fast!

Ok, now coming to the guardian angel part, I already told you about the dogs on the way to my apartment right? On occasions when my friends weren't there with me, I go straight to the bakery, no not just for the puffs, I go there to ask any of them to walk me home. It’s always crazy busy there, so what they used to do was, give me a small stool to sit inside the bakery and some coffee n snacks, while they attend to the non stop customers.

When they got a breathing space, one of them would walk me home and make sure that I got inside safely, before they left. This was almost a daily ritual and sometimes happening 2-3 times in a day.

They were my guardian angels! For a person who doesn't have any such fears this can be nonsense, but for me, because of that fear, many times I would feel stranded and absolutely helpless. Unless you have an irrational fear, it’s very difficult to understand.

There are many who make fun of me, call me fussy, get angry at me for acting silly (some of these are people who are close to me), but these guys… they never got irritated or found me as a nuisance and apart from the occasional light hearted banter, never made fun of my fear.

I’m not sure whether that bakery is still there or even if it’s there, who’s managing it these days. After that year in Bangalore, whenever I hear the word Egg Puffs, it reminded me of those guys.

For me they served a good helping of kindness along with their yummy food! Such acts of kindness, at the time of your need, without expecting anything in return is what made me continue to believe in the existence of guardian angels.

Coming to our recipe, puffs are a very common in Kerala bakeries and should I say hospital canteens too ;)? Hard boiled eggs coated in flavourful masala, wrapped up in golden crispy and flaky puff pastry is a treat for your taste buds. From being a staple, it has become an indulgence for me.

This is something you can easily cook, if you are using readymade puff pastry like me. Well, if you are into making everything from scratch and absolute scratch, go ahead and make puff pastry at home. If you want my opinion, buy a pack of frozen puff pastry from supermarket ;)

Well, I’m recommending this recipe as an indulgence or as a treat and not as a daily menu item. It’s good as an evening snack or for brunch or if you are having guests for breakfast or brunch or evening tea. It hardly takes any time and I’m yet to come across anybody who says “no” to a good egg puff.

Here is the recipe…

Heat oil in a wide pan and add sliced onions. Cook till the onion becomes golden brown. Once the onion becomes golden brown, add crushed ginger and garlic and cook for 2-3 mins…

Add all masala powders and salt. Cook till the oil appears, around 2-3 mins. Add 1 – 2 tbsp hot water to bring everything together. Add ketchup (refer notes), curry leaves and mix well…

Beat 1 egg with 1-2 tsp water for egg wash. Apply this egg mixture on four sides of the puff pastry. Place about 1 tbsp of masala on each puff pastry, followed by half a slice of egg. Put some masala on top of the egg as well…

Bring together the diagonally opposite sides and seal. Apply the egg wash all over the sealed puffs. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 mins or until the puff pastry is golden in colour…