Shakshuka

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 20 mins

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 4 Servings

You’re probably familiar with shakshuka as a popular brunch menu item, but once you learn how to make this North African dish at home, I guarantee it’ll become a regular in your rotation. It’s full of flavor and couldn’t be easier to make. You can even add some spicy harissa paste for a kick. Plus, if you’ve ever had difficulty with how to poach an egg, shakshuka is one way to hack perfectly poached eggs.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced (1 1/2 cups)
1 medium bell pepper, diced (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon harissa paste (optional)
1 (about 14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes or tomato pulp (1 3/4 cups)
1/4 cup water
1/2 medium lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 large eggs
2 to 4 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro or parsley leaves, or a combination
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 2 ounces)
Pita or crusty bread, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 1 diced medium bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and the pepper is softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Add 2 coarsely chopped garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, and 1 teaspoon harissa paste if using. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomato paste slightly darkens in color, about 2 minutes.
Add 1 (about 14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes. Add 1/4 cup water to the now-empty can, swirl to loosen any remaining bits of tomato, and pour into the skillet. Add the juice from 1/2 medium lemon, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir until combined and simmer until the sauce is thickened slightly and darkened in color, about 10 minutes.
With the back of a large spoon, make 6 wells in the sauce, spacing them evenly apart. Crack 1 large egg into each well (remake the wells as needed if they lose their shape). Season each egg lightly with kosher salt. Cover and cook for 3 to 4 minutes for slightly runny yolks, or 5 to 6 minutes for well-done but still jammy yolks.
Garnish with 2 to 4 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro or parsley and 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese. Serve with fresh pita or crusty bread if desired.