Shakshuka with Spicy Tomato Sauce (Printer-friendly)

Eggs poached in spiced tomato sauce with peppers and onions, ready in 40 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
02 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
03 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes or 5 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped
06 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced

→ Pantry

07 - 2 tbsp olive oil
08 - 2 tbsp tomato paste

→ Spices

09 - 1 tsp ground cumin
10 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
11 - ½ tsp ground coriander
12 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Eggs

14 - 6 large eggs

→ Garnish

15 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
16 - ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

→ To Serve

17 - 1 loaf crusty bread or pita

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell peppers. Sauté for 5–6 minutes, until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic and jalapeño; cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
03 - Add tomato paste, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, and cayenne. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
04 - Pour in diced tomatoes with their juices. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Make 6 wells in the sauce with a spoon. Crack an egg into each well.
07 - Cover skillet and cook for 6–8 minutes, until egg whites are set but yolks are still runny.
08 - Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh herbs and feta, if using. Serve immediately with warm crusty bread or pita for dipping.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It transforms humble pantry ingredients into something that feels like a restaurant meal in under an hour
  • The runny yolks create their own rich sauce when mixed into the spiced tomatoes
  • It's equally impressive for weekend guests or a solo Tuesday night dinner
02 -
  • The sauce will continue to thicken as it stands, so don't reduce it too much during cooking
  • Fresh eggs really do matter here—older eggs will spread and produce wispy whites
  • A lid that traps steam is essential for properly set whites without overcooking the yolks
03 -
  • Make the sauce a day ahead—the flavors meld and improve overnight
  • Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer before adding eggs for more even cooking
  • Keep the heat at medium-low once eggs are added to prevent the bottom from scorching
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