Description
Shakshuka is a flavorful Middle Eastern and North African dish featuring poached eggs cooked in a spiced tomato and pepper sauce. This recipe combines sautéed onions, red peppers, garlic, and smoked paprika with chickpeas and rich tomato paste, all baked together to create a hearty and comforting meal perfect for any time of day.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 1 red pepper, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 6 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for the eggs
- Black pepper, to taste
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
- 5 eggs
- Feta cheese crumbles (optional garnish)
- Fresh cilantro or parsley sprigs (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the eggs in the sauce.
- Sauté Vegetables: In an oven-safe pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and red pepper, cooking for 4-5 minutes or until softened.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Liquids and Spices: Pour in the chicken broth and crushed tomatoes. Stir in smoked paprika and ground cumin, combining all ingredients well.
- Simmer to Reduce: Let the mixture cook over medium heat for a few minutes to reduce and thicken the broth slightly.
- Add Tomato Paste and Chickpeas: Stir in the tomato paste, chickpeas, salt, and pepper. Heat for an additional 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Prepare Eggs: Remove the pan from heat. Using a spoon, make five wells in the sauce. Crack one egg into each well. Season the eggs with salt and black pepper as desired.
- Bake the Dish: Place the oven-safe pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 8-12 minutes, depending on how runny or firm you want the eggs.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, sprinkle feta cheese crumbles and fresh cilantro or parsley on top if using. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Use a cast iron or other oven-safe skillet for best results.
- Adjust the baking time to achieve your preferred egg doneness; less time for runny yolks, more for firm.
- Feta and fresh herbs are optional but add a nice flavor and freshness.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated on the stovetop.
- For a vegan version, omit the eggs and feta and add extra chickpeas or tofu.
