Savor the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with chakchouka or shakshouka, a delectable dish that combines eggs, tomatoes, bell peppers, and a symphony of spices. Originating from North Africa, this culinary gem has captivated taste buds across the globe. Whether you prefer the classic Tunisian chakchouka, the hearty Algerian version, or the flavorful Israeli shakshouka, this versatile dish promises a culinary adventure. Indulge in the authentic taste of chakchouka with our carefully curated recipes that capture the essence of this beloved dish. From the traditional method using cast iron skillet to modern variations cooked in the oven or slow cooker, we've got you covered. Explore the diverse flavors of chakchouka and embark on a delightful journey through the vibrant streets of the Mediterranean.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
SHAKSHUKA
Shakshuka has risen in popularity around the world, and with good reason. Originally from North Africa and the Middle East, this flavorful dish of eggs cooked in a spicy tomato sauce is tasty, healthy and a breeze to make. It's a terrific one-skillet meal you can serve right from the pan and it lends itself to variation. Try this international superstar for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 1h
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a medium ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the cilantro stems, garlic, cumin, paprika and red pepper flakes; season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is softened and the vegetables are coated with the spices, about 1 minute.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Stir the tomatoes with their juices into the skillet. Reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens slightly, about 20 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
- Use the back of a spoon to make 4 wells in the sauce, 1 to 2 inches apart. Crack an egg into each well. Run the edge of a rubber spatula through the egg whites to break them slightly, being careful not to break the yolks (this allows the egg whites to cook faster). Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the egg whites are just set, 15 to 18 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and top with the cilantro leaves. Serve with pita bread.
EASY SHAKSHUKA RECIPE
Steps:
- Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large cast iron skillet. Add the onions, green peppers, garlic, spices, pinch salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes and tomato sauce. Cover and let simmer for about 15 minutes. Uncover and cook a bit longer to allow the mixture to reduce and thicken. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
- Using a wooden spoon, make 6 indentations, or "wells," in the tomato mixture (make sure the indentations are spaced out). Gently crack an egg into each indention.
- Reduce the heat, cover the skillet, and cook on low until the egg whites are set.
- Uncover and add the fresh parsley and mint. You can add more black pepper or crushed red pepper, if you like. Serve with warm pita, challah, or crusty bread of your choice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 111 kcal, Sugar 5.9 g, Sodium 170 mg, Fat 4.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, TransFat 0.1 g, Carbohydrate 10.9 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 7.7 g, Cholesterol 163.7 mg, UnsaturatedFat 1.7 g, ServingSize 1 serving
SHAKSHOUKA
Construction at Zahav took place during the dead of winter 2008. Since there was no heat in the building, our contractor, Ofer Shlomo, brought in propane-fired space heaters to keep his crew from freezing. The heaters were cylindrical, with flat metal tops - perfect for heating up a frying pan. And so, of course, Ofer made shakshouka. Shakshouka is a simple and quick North African dish of eggs poached in a spicy stew of tomatoes and peppers that packs a punch. It's a great, large-format brunch dish to feed a crowd. Shakshouka is another great example of a dish that came from elsewhere but is now essential to Israeli cuisine. (On a recent trip to Israel, I even had shakshouka at a gas station diner.) Much of this has to do with economics. Tomatoes and peppers grow year-round in Israel, and eggs are an inexpensive source of protein. Shakshouka became an economical way to create a nutritious and flavorful meal. Shakshouka is a stovetop dish, and that ease of preparation contributed to its popularity. It's also a very fun word to say. This recipe is a very straightforward version, but shakshouka can be bedazzled with all sorts of things, from merguez (or any other sausage) to feta or Parmesan cheese. It's easily scaled up or down depending on your crowd. But the most important question: What kind of bread will you choose to sop up every last drop of sauce?
Provided by Michael Solomonov
Categories main-dish
Time 40m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil over medium in a cast iron skillet large enough to accommodate 16 poached eggs. (If you don't have a skillet that large, use two pans, dividing the ingredients evenly between them.) Add the onions, bell peppers, garlic, dried lime (if using), paprika, cumin, coriander, and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables haven softened but not browned, about 10 minutes. Add the tomato puree and sugar and simmer until reduced by about one-third, 10 to 12 minutes. Whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup oil. Crack the eggs into the skillet, spacing them evenly in the sauce. Lower the heat, cover, and cook until the egg whites are set but the yolks remain runny, about 5 minutes. Top with serrano chiles and cilantro and serve immediately right from the pan.
SHAKSHUKA
Shakshuka is a dish of poached eggs with tomatoes, onion and cumin. I learned about it while traveling through Southeast Asia, and it's been my favorite way to eat eggs since. -Ezra Weeks, Calgary, Alberta
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, 4-6 minutes. Add garlic, seasonings and, if desired, chili sauce; cook 30 seconds longer. Add tomatoes; cook until mixture is thickened, stirring occasionally, 3-5 minutes., With back of spoon, make 4 wells in vegetable mixture; break an egg into each well. Cook, covered, until egg whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard, 4-6 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro; serve with pita bread.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 159 calories, Fat 12g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 186mg cholesterol, Sodium 381mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
SHAKSHOOKA
This delicious Israeli egg and tomato dish makes a great meal any time of day. It is very flavorful and works well as a main dish or as an appetizer. Serve hot with tahini sauce and pita bread.
Provided by Hanna R
Categories Breakfast Eggs
Time 55m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, onion, and jalapeno; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the bell pepper and tomatoes.
- Cook the vegetables until the tomatoes have broken down and released their juices, about 10 minutes. Stir in the sweet paprika, hot paprika, salt, and pepper and let the mixture simmer for 3 minutes. Add the tomato paste and water and mix well.
- When the vegetables have a sauce-like consistency, add the saffron and parsley. Crack the eggs on top of the sauce (as though you're making sunnyside-up eggs); cover the pan and let the eggs cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until the yolks reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 176.3 calories, Carbohydrate 16.3 g, Cholesterol 163.7 mg, Fat 9.9 g, Fiber 4.8 g, Protein 8.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.2 g, Sodium 294.8 mg, Sugar 8.4 g
TUNISIAN CHAKCHOUKA
This is such an easy recipe, nevertheless it is complex with rich flavor. I ate this dish often in Tunisia, where, incidentally, I first began to eat tomatoes when I was nearly 30 years old!!! The sunny mediterranean produces tomatoes that are intense with deep aroma and flavor. Chakchouka is a summer dish in Tunisia.
Provided by Mme M
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 35m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cut the tomatoes into large pieces. Deseed and dice all the peppers.
- Heat olive oil in a medium size pot. The flavor belongs in the recipe, so use a good amount of it. Add the onion and garlic, and before it is brown, add the cumin. When the cumin is blended, add the tomatoes and peppers, the tomato concentrate, and the harissa. Add salt. Blend the ingredients with a long spoon. Add 1 - 3 bay leaves, and the thyme.
- As soon as the vegetables are cooked, and the consistency is a bit thickened, add the eggs. The eggs will be poached in the pot. Space the eggs to give them room. Put the lid of the pot on. Wait for the white to set, as much as 15 minutes, depending on how high your heat is. The yolk should be runny.
- When you serve this, dish up an amount of the vegetable part into a wide soup dish, then carefully center an egg into this. Repeat for four people. Have french bread cut and ready to dip into the chakchouka.
- Note: the amounts of tomato concentrate and harissa, which is quite hot, can be adjusted to personal taste. You could lessen the garlic amount if you like.
Tips:
- Use ripe tomatoes: The riper the tomatoes, the sweeter and more flavorful your shakshuka will be. If you can't find ripe tomatoes, you can roast them in the oven for 15-20 minutes before using them.
- Sauté the vegetables: Sautéing the vegetables before adding the tomatoes will help to caramelize them and bring out their flavor. Be sure to cook the vegetables over medium heat so that they don't burn.
- Use a variety of spices: Shakshuka is a very flavorful dish, so don't be afraid to experiment with different spices. Some popular spices to use include cumin, paprika, turmeric, and cayenne pepper.
- Crack the eggs directly into the pan: This will help to keep the eggs from breaking and will also give them a nice crispy edge.
- Don't overcook the eggs: The eggs should be cooked until they are just set, but still have a slightly runny yolk. Overcooked eggs will be tough and rubbery.
Conclusion:
Shakshuka is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover vegetables. With its vibrant colors and bold flavors, shakshuka is sure to impress your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give shakshuka a try!
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