In this episode of QUIZINE IN QUARANTINE we take on an extremely common dish throughout the Middle East and former Ottoman Empire. Made with eggs on a flavorous tomato based sauce, eaten as breakfast, lunch or dinner – The shakshuka!
‘Shakshuka’ is derived from one of the many Berber languages, meaning “mixture” and is a dish that has existed in Mediterranean cultures for centuries.
The exact origins of the dish are disputed (surprise surprise!) According to some food historians, the dish spread to Spain and the greater Middle East from Ottoman Turkey, while others think it originated in Morocco.
Shakshuka is a quintessential meal of Arab cuisine (Yemeni, Libyan, Tunisian, Algerian, Moroccan, Egyptian, Saudi, and Levantine) and is traditionally served in a cast iron pan or Tajine as in Morocco and we try our hand at creating one – Quizine style!
INGREDIENTS (Serves 6)
6 Eggs
1 Large onions (chopped)
3 Cloves of garlic
1/2 Red bell pepper (diced)
1/2 Green bell pepper (diced)
100g Turkish sausage
1 Can chopped tomatoes
1 tsp. chilli flakes
1 tbsp. smoked paprika
1 tbps. Sriracha sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh Coriander to garnish
Chilli flakes to garnish
Feta cheese to garnish
1. Put oil in hot pan.
2. Once hot, put onions and garlic into pan and allow to cook till onion
softens, roughly 4mins.
3. Add your chilli flakes
4. Once onions turn translucent add red and green bell peppers.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Add your Turkish sausage and allow to cook for 2-3 mins at medium
heat.
7. Now you are ready for the chopped tomatoes.
8. Cook for a further 3-4 minutes at a medium heat. Bring to simmer.
9. Add smoked paprika and Sriracha sauce and allow to cook for a
further 5 minutes.
10. Make groves in the tomato sauce and crack egg into the space.
Repeat this for as many eggs you have – try not to break the yolks!
11. Place lid on pan and allow eggs to cook for 5minutes at a low heat.
12. Your eggs should be nice and runny, so now you can garnish with
fresh coriander, feta cheese and more chilli flakes.
Enjoy!