Shakshouka

I have known about the dish Shatsouka or Shakshouka from my aunt who had holidayed in Morocco last year. She says that the dish is popular throughout the Middle East, particularly in Israel, where it may as well be one of their national dishes. I love this kind of dish as it’s just a one-pot-meal and I can cook this for breakfast, lunch, dinner or supper. Needless to say, I have cooked this dish many times and every single time I made it, Shakshouka tasted different. Of course, it’s delicious but the flavour was inconsistent. So, I googled and finally found the recipe that worked well, and it’s from my favourite Chef Yotam. I’ve been keeping his recipe as my go-to Shakshouka recipe so much so that when anyone asked for it, I simply said ‘no’ and rather cooked for them myself! Oh well, I am ready to share the recipe now. Bread (or Turkish bread) is essential with this dish. Use bread for mopping the sauce and yolks.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium sized Holland onion (diced) 3 cloves garlic (thinly sliced) 1 ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon ground paprika 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground fennel ½ teaspoon ground turmeric 900g diced tomatoes (riped ones, better) 2 tablespoons tomato paste or tomato ketchup 2 teaspoons honey 1 teaspoon pomegranate juice Minced meat (optional) Other optional ingredients : feta cheese, spinach or water cress, thyme or bay leaves.

Method 1. Using a wide skillet, or a ceramic pot and sauté onions. If you want to add the minced meat, add it when the onions are golden brown. When the meat is half-cooked, add garlic. 2. Add in all the ground spices, salt and pepper. Keep stirring. 3. Add tomatoes, tomato paste or tomato ketchup, honey and pomegranate juice. 4. Reduce the heat and keep stirring for 12-15 minutes. 5. When sauce thickens, add eggs. Cover your pot with lid. 6. When eggs are cooked, uncover the pot. You may add feta or preferred veggies. 7. Turn off the heat, and serve.

Did you know?

Tomatoes contain Vitamin A and B, and potassium to decrease cholesterol level. In the long run, it can prevent heart related diseases.Tomatoes also contain chromium which helps in keeping blood sugars levels in check. For those who have diabetes or history of diabetes in the family, it’s good to include tomatoes in your diet. Tomatoes encourage the production of amino acid called Carnitine, which is reported to enhance the body’s fat burning ability to at least 30%, if not more.

Written by:

Arni Baizura is a Mom Entrepreneur. She is managing her own business, Byzoura which is an online business. She is a mother who loves cooking and she will ensure in cooking a tasty food for her family.