🍲 Shakshuka 🌶️

A vibrant and flavorful dish that brings together poached eggs in a rich tomato sauce, perfect for any meal of the day!

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🌍 What Is Shakshuka?

Shakshuka is a North African and Middle Eastern dish traditionally made with poached eggs in a spicy tomato sauce. While often enjoyed for breakfast, it can be served at any time of day, making it a versatile and delicious option for all occasions.

🧾 Ingredients

**Base:**

- 1 brown onion, finely chopped

- 1 red capsicum (bell pepper), finely chopped

- 2 large tomatoes (or 2 cans of diced tomatoes)

- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil

- 1 garlic clove, minced

- 1 tablespoon tomato paste

- 5 eggs

- Salt, to taste

- Ground cumin (½ teaspoon)

- Ground paprika (1 teaspoon)

- Crushed pepper, to taste

- 2 tablespoons cold water

**Optional:**

- Fresh mint, parsley, or coriander for garnish

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. **Prepare the Vegetables:**

- Finely chop the brown onion.

- Remove the stem and seeds from the red capsicum, then finely chop.

- Dice the tomatoes or prepare the canned tomatoes.

2. **Cook the Base:**

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- In a pan over medium heat, add olive oil.

- Add the chopped onion and capsicum, cooking on low to medium heat for about 10 minutes until caramelized.

3. **Add Aromatics:**

- Stir in the minced garlic, a pinch of salt, ground cumin, ground paprika, and crushed pepper.

- Cook for another minute until fragrant.

4. **Incorporate Tomato Paste:**

- Add the tomato paste and cold water, mixing well.

- Stir in the diced tomatoes and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to develop.

5. **Prepare for Poaching Eggs:**

- Once the tomatoes have softened, spread the mixture out evenly in the pan.

- Lower the heat to low.

- Use the back of a spoon to create small wells for the eggs.

6. **Add the Eggs:**

- Crack the eggs into the wells, being careful not to break the yolks.

- Sprinkle a touch of salt and crushed pepper over each egg.

7. **Cook the Eggs:**

- Cover the pan with a lid and cook on low heat for about 10 minutes, until the eggs are softly poached.

8. **Garnish and Serve:**

- Once cooked, turn off the heat and garnish with fresh mint or your choice of herbs.

🍽️ How to Serve

Serve the shakshuka directly from the pan or plate it by placing a generous scoop of the tomato sauce on the bottom, followed by a poached egg on top. Enjoy with crusty bread for dipping!

💡 Pro Tips

- For added flavor, consider adding spices like chili flakes or harissa to the tomato mixture.

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- If you prefer firmer eggs, cook them a little longer under the lid.

🔥 Why You’ll Love This

Shakshuka is not only delicious and comforting, but it also offers a beautiful presentation with its vibrant colors. It’s a dish that can be enjoyed at breakfast, lunch, or dinner, making it a perfect addition to any meal plan!