North African Shakshuka

Shakshuka is a popular breakfast in North Africa and the Middle East. If you don’t have time for a breakfast that takes 30 minutes, try this flavorful and savory dish for dinner. No zucchini? Use bell peppers or eggplant. This recipe is adapted from Melissa Clark’s version in The New York Times.

Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes

This recipe serves 8

Ingredients

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 medium zucchini, halved and thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp paprika
1/8–1/4 tsp cayenne, to taste
28 oz whole plum tomatoes with their juices, coarsely chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 oz feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)
8 eggs
1/4 cup fresh cilantro or basil, chopped, for serving

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 375°F.

2.Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium heat. Add the onions and zucchini, and sauté for 8–10 minutes until tender. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, then add the cumin, paprika and cayenne, and cook for 1 more minute.

3.Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper and simmer until the tomatoes have thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the cheese.

4.Gently crack the eggs into the skillet, spreading them evenly over the tomatoes. Season with a pinch of coarse salt, if desired. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until eggs are just set, 7–8 minutes (they will continue to cook for a couple of minutes after you remove them from the oven). Sprinkle with the fresh herbs and serve immediately.

 Do Ahead Or Delegate: Halve and slice the onion and zucchini, slice the garlic, combine the dry spices, chop the tomatoes, or fully prepare the recipe without the eggs and refrigerate or freeze it.

 Flavor Booster: Use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika. Serve with hot pepper sauce such as Tabasco, sriracha or harissa, if you have it.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories 160
Carbohydrate 10 g
Protein 9 g
Fat 10 g
Saturated Fat 3.2 g
Sugars 5 g
Dietary Fiber 3 g
Cholesterol 190 mg
Sodium 315 mg
Potassium 490 mg