Shakshouka is a Middle Eastern/North African dish of poached eggs in tomato sauce. The addition of sausage makes it hearty enough for dinner with a side starch. Or, have it as a fiilling breakfast served with bread.
Brinner (breakfast for dinner) has always been my kind of thing. Isn't it more or less universally adored? Especially the hearty breakfast-style with eggs, sausage and/or bacon. These are usually too hearty for me to stomach first thing in the morning. It only makes sense, then, to eat them for breakfast!
Shakshouka is traditionally a Middle Eastern/North African breakfast dish. You can find variations of these poached eggs in tomato and bell pepper sauce in Israel, Tunesia, Turkey...
I have to thank my mom for my familiarity with this dish. She says that the version she knows and made for us growing up is of Armenian origin - of all things! Thanks Ma!
Making My Own Shakshuka
Of course, I developed my own little version of Shakshuka. Typically, when eaten for breakfast, you would just use some bread to dunk up the egg and tomato sauce right out of the skillet.
For my brinner version, I add slices of hearty Farmer's sausage to the sauce, and I serve it together with a starchy side like brown rice or quinoa (or a mix of both, when I am feeling particularly controversial 😉 )
If you have bit of a heartier stomach first thing in the morning (more like my husband and less like me), then this Shakshuka version can be an amazing breakfast (with or without sausage).
For a vegetarian meal, just omit the sausage, and to make this gluten-free, ensure the sausage you add contains no gluten or also leave out the sausage.
Recipe
Shakshuka – Poached Eggs in Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ pound sliced sausage I use smoked Farmer's sausage
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 can diced tomatoes 14 oz.
- 1 cup fresh tomatoes chopped, from 2 medium tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4-6 eggs
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pan, add sausage slices and brown over medium heat.
- Add onions, garlic, bell pepper and saute covered until softened.
- Mix the diced tomatoes with chopped basil and spices. Add to pan together with fresh tomatoes and cook covered until the tomatoes have softened (~ 5 min).
- Make indentations in the sauce and crack eggs into pan. Cook until eggs are firm but not dry.
- Sprinkle with black pepper and chopped parsley.
- Serve with a starch (rice, pasta) for dinner or tunk eggs and sauce with bread/toast for breakfast.
Pin Shakshuka (Poached Eggs in Tomato Sauce) recipe for later?
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Random Questions
While both dishes involve poached eggs in a tomato-based sauce, shakshuka is typically of North African and Middle Eastern origin and may contain other ingredients like bell peppers, onions, and spices. On the other hand, menemen is a Turkish dish that usually includes scrambled eggs cooked with tomatoes, peppers, and various spices.
Shakshuka is often served with bread for dipping into the flavorful tomato sauce and enjoying with the eggs. However, for heartier meals, it can also be served with sides like brown rice or quinoa, providing a filling and satisfying dish.
Shakshuka can be made with or without meat. Some versions include the addition of sausages, such as Farmer's sausage, which enhances the heartiness of the dish, making it suitable for dinner or a substantial breakfast.
Shakshuka and huevos rancheros share similarities as both are egg-based dishes. However, shakshuka is characterized by poached eggs in a tomato and bell pepper sauce, while huevos rancheros features fried eggs served on tortillas and smothered with a tomato-chili sauce.
Shakshuka has origins in both Israeli and North African cuisines. It is a dish that is widely enjoyed across various cultures, including Israel, Tunisia, and Turkey, among others, each with its own unique take on the recipe.
In Spanish, shakshuka is often referred to as "Huevos a la Flamenca" or "Huevos al Purgatorio," depending on the specific ingredients and regional variations used in the dish.
Shakshuka is commonly enjoyed in various cultures, including North African, Middle Eastern, Turkish, and Israeli cuisines. It has gained popularity worldwide and is appreciated for its rich flavors and versatility in terms of ingredients and adaptations.
Manuela
So funny. Made this 1 or 2 weeks ago... for lunch 😀 I guess pregnancy makes us crave flavors from our childhood. I used cut up BL/SL chicken thighs for the sausage and served it with mashed potatoes... soooooo delish!!!
Regina
Mmmm....yes chicken would be awesome with this as well! Isn't it funny? Sometimes I even want food that I didn't care for much growing up 😉
Manuela
Yes, like Lagman. Alex loves it, so now I like it a lot as well. Especially because I can make a large batch and freeze it easily.
Regina
Mmmm...Lagman!! You should share your recipe with me. I've never made it myself. And it would also be a great recipe for the blog 😀
Tyler @ Terralogist
This looks brilliant! I love eggs, any time of the day. 🙂
Regina
Haha... I am just now realizing that I go on about a breakfast or dinner choice for this meal. But there is absolutely no reason why Shakshuka wouldn't make terrific lunch as well 😉
Jacquee @ I Sugar Coat It!
YUM! I couldn't pull this off for breakfast, but definitely brinner. The vegetarian in my household does not eat eggs, so I'm keeping the sausage - more for me! 🙂
Regina
Brinner FTW!!
Amy
Hey, this looks great! This is new for me, but, it looks really good.
Regina
Thank you very much Amy! This is a great 'new' dish to try since all the flavors and components are quite familiar, just in a new combination 🙂