Shakshouka
Shakshouka is a vibrant and comforting North African dish featuring poached eggs simmered in a spiced tomato and pepper sauce. Quick and easy to prepare, it offers bold flavors and balanced nutrition, making it perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This simple yet flavorful meal combines fresh vegetables, warm spices, and tender eggs to create a wholesome and satisfying experience.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: North African
- Diet: Gluten Free
Vegetables
- 4 ripe tomatoes, diced (or 1 can 14 oz diced tomatoes)
- 2 bell peppers, finely chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
Spices
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ¼ to ½ tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Other Ingredients
- 4–6 large eggs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Prep Your Ingredients: Chop the onions, bell peppers, and garlic finely. Peel and dice fresh tomatoes or drain canned tomatoes. Gather the spices and have your eggs ready to crack.
- Sauté the Base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and bell peppers and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Build the Sauce: Add the diced or canned tomatoes to the skillet along with paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine, then let the sauce simmer gently for 10-15 minutes until thickened and flavors have deepened.
- Poach the Eggs: Make small wells in the tomato sauce and carefully crack the eggs into each well. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook on low heat for about 5-8 minutes, or until the egg whites are set and yolks reach your preferred consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or cilantro on top for brightness and freshness. Serve the shakshouka directly from the skillet with crusty bread, pita, or your favorite side for scooping.
Notes
- Use fresh tomatoes if possible for a lighter, brighter sauce.
- Simmer the sauce gently to develop deep flavors without burning.
- Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure proper sautéing and caramelization of vegetables.
- Cover the pan while cooking eggs to steam them evenly and keep yolks runny.
- Season gradually and taste as you go to balance the flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 186 mg
Keywords: shakshouka, poached eggs, tomato sauce, North African, easy breakfast, vegetarian, gluten free, one-pan meal, spicy eggs