Shakshuka
Shakshuka is a colourful, deeply savoury dish from North Africa and the Middle East. Eggs are poached in a spiced sauce of tomatoes, peppers and onions, lifted with garlic, cumin, paprika and chilli. The sauce simmers until thick, then the eggs are gently cooked in it over a low heat. It is usually finished with fresh parsley or coriander and served with pita or crusty bread for mopping up the sauce. Comforting, balanced and full of flavour.
Course Main Course
Cuisine North African
- 2-3 red peppers
- 1 onion
- garlic
- 4 peeled tomatoes
- 150 g feta
- 3-4 eggs
- fresh coriander or parsley
- cumin, paprika, chilli, salt, pepper
- tomato purée
Use a dish that works both on the hob AND in the oven.
Slice the peppers and onion into strips and finely chop at least 3 cloves of garlic, then cook them in olive oil with a little salt.Add the spices: paprika, cumin and cayenne pepper, to taste, though the more the better! Add the peeled tomatoes and crush them with a spatula.
Stir in a little tomato purée.
Let it reduce for 10-15 minutes. Reducing matters here: it drives off as much water from the tomatoes as possible, otherwise the sauce will be too runny when you serve.
Add the feta, cut into cubes.
Let it bubble away again until the feta has warmed through.
Crack the eggs on top and season with pepper.
Into the oven at 180°C.
Once the eggs are set (keep an eye on them, you want the yolks runny, so around 5 minutes).
Take it out of the oven.
Scatter fresh coriander or parsley over the top.
Serve.