Bell Pepper

Shakshouka (Spicy Tomato Sauce Poached Eggs)

by:
October 16, 2012
4
2 Ratings
Shakshouka (Spicy Tomato Sauce Poached Eggs)
  • Makes 2 servings
Author Notes

Shakshouka is a traditional Mediterranean dish of eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce with chili peppers, onion, and cumin. It is also known as Tunisian Eggs, after the country it is believed to have originated from. I know tomato sauce doesn’t usually join us for breakfast, but the combination of eggs and sauce is truly magical here. I almost don’t know how I can return to the standard eggs with ketchup! The onions, peppers, tomato, cumin, paprika and cayenne add serious heat and flavor plus a hearty serving of veggies. Eggy brunch is usually a cholesterol nightmare, but Shakshouka is actually totally healthy: No butter to be seen with the olive-oil tomato base, vegetables are in abundance, and whole-wheat pita contributes a nutrient-filled grain. You can easily substitute egg whites for your poached egg to totally eliminate bad fats here, but I recommend keeping at least one- mixing it into the savory sauce is not something to be missed! —KvellintheKitchen

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup favorite tomato sauce (I used Cucina Antica's spicy arriabbata sauce, try to find one that's low in sodium, added sugar, and uses only natural ingredients- no preservatives)
  • 1 medium vidalia or yellow onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper (green or orange), diced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/8-1/4 cups water, as needed
  • 1/2 cup parsley, tightly packed, for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • toasted pita wedges
Directions
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, and saute for 2 minutes. Add bell pepper and cook for 5 more minutes, until vegetables are softened. Add cumin paprika, and cayenne; cook for 2 more minutes.
  2. Turn heat to low, and add tomato sauce. Slowly pour in water until the sauce consistency resembles a thick sauce, juicy but semi-solid.
  3. With a spoon, gently push aside the tomato sauce in 4 places, making a pocket for the eggs. Pour each egg over a pocket and cook with the cover on, for about 10 minutes, until egg is cooked to your liking. (For a runny egg, cook for about 5 minutes, or poach egg separately and add at the end.)
  4. Remove each egg from the skillet (serve 2 eggs per person) with a generous amount of sauce. Sprinkle with parsley, salt, & pepper (add hot red pepper flakes too if you like heat.) Serve with toasted pita wedges to scoop up excess sauce.
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