Shakshuka (Garnished with Fresh Herbs)

Shakshuka is a North African and Middle East style dish made with eggs poached in a tomato and bell pepper sauce and seasoned with paprika, cumin, and chili (or cayenne) powder. You can serve this for breakfast lunch or dinner. Shakshuka, also referred to as shakshouka or chakchouka is a fun and easy dish to make.

What Does Shakshuka taste like?

For my American friends, shakshuka is similar to huevos rancheros with more of a Middle East flavor due to the spices used. Traditionally served with warm pita bread but you can certainly serve it with homemade tortillas.

What Ingredients Do You Need to Make Shakshuka?

Shakshuka is fairly simple to throw together and uses many ingredients you probably have in stock.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil– You’ll need two tablespoons for sautéeing.
• Yellow Onion– Dice up one medium onion or about one cup.
• Bell Pepper– You can use any color of bell pepper or a combination of colors. Measure out one cup diced.
• Garlic– Three minced garlic cloves add flavor and antioxidants.
• Spices– A blend of paprika, cumin, and chili powder (or cayenne) gives this dish a nice Middle Eastern flavor.
• Eggs- For this recipe, you’ll use 6 eggs.
• Diced Tomatoes- You can use fresh tomatoes or canned tomatoes. You’ll measure out 2 1/2 cups or 20 ounces of diced tomatoes. I find sometimes during the winter it’s easier to use canned.

How to Make Shakshuka

Shakshuka is not only fun to say, tasty to eat, but also fun to make. The print-friendly recipe is below but here is a quick step-by-step rundown.

STEP ONE: SAUTE VEGGIES

Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add olive oil and allow to warm through. Next, add onions and bell peppers and cook until soft and translucent (about 3-4 minutes). Then add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant.

Finally, add the spices and the diced tomatoes. Bring this tomato and bell pepper base to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until the liquid evaporates a bit.

STEP TWO: COOK EGGS

Next, reduce the heat to low. Depending on the number of eggs you’d like to cook, make 4-6 indentations or wells one at a time. Add a raw egg to each well. Once all eggs are added, cover the skillet and cook for 5-8 minutes until the eggs are cooked to your liking.

STEP THREE: GARNISH & SERVE

Finally, you’ll garnish the dish with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, and mint if you prefer. These all give a nice pop of color and fresh taste. You can also serve this dish with a side of warm pita bread or homemade tortillas. Add salt and pepper to taste.

What to Serve with Shakshuka?

Shakshuka is traditionally served with pita bread. However, you can also serve it on its own or consider serving it with these other options:

• Homemade tortillas
• Avocado slices
• Topped with feta cheese
• Brown rice
• Topped with green onions

How Long Does Shakshuka Keep?

You can make the tomato base ahead of time, cool and store it in the fridge for a couple of days before adding the eggs. If you choose this route you’ll want to eat the shakshuka right away. If you make this dish in one sitting, you can store the shakshuka in a tightly sealed container for 1-2 days. Rehat and enjoy.

Looking for Other Healthy Breakfast Ideas?

For additional breakfast recipe ideas, you can check out some of these others below:

• Protein-Packed Acai Bowl Recipe
• Healthy Pumpkin Spiced Recipe For Overnight Oats (Easy & No-Bake)
• Healthy Lemon Raspberry Muffins
• Healthy Lemon Blueberry Muffins