Shakshuka

Ingredients

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare all ingredients first: finely dice the onion and red bell pepper, mince the garlic, chop the tomatoes, crumble the feta, and chop the parsley. This mise en place is important because the sauce cooks quickly once the pan is hot.

2. 2

   Heat a wide frying pan or shallow skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, then cook the onion and red bell pepper for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly sweet-smelling but not browned. Add the garlic, cumin, sweet paprika, and chili flakes; cook for 30 seconds to bloom the spices without letting the garlic scorch.

3. 3

   Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and simmer over medium to medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the tomatoes break down and the sauce becomes thick enough to hold shallow wells. If it looks watery, cook 1-2 minutes longer; shakshuka works best with a concentrated sauce.

4. 4

   Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Make 4 small wells in the sauce and crack an egg into each one. Scatter the feta around the eggs rather than directly over the yolks so the tops stay visible.

5. 5

   Cover the pan and cook gently for 4-6 minutes, until the egg whites are just set and the yolks are still runny, or longer if you prefer firmer yolks. Check after 4 minutes; residual heat will continue to cook the eggs slightly.

6. 6

   Remove from the heat and rest uncovered for 1 minute. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve immediately straight from the pan.

Nutrition per serving

Notes

• •For a stricter keto version, use very ripe fresh tomatoes and avoid serving with bread; pair with sliced avocado or a cucumber salad instead.
• •A wide pan helps the sauce reduce quickly and gives the eggs enough room to poach evenly.
• •If your tomatoes are especially juicy, increase the heat slightly during reduction so the sauce thickens within the 30-minute limit.
• •For extra richness, drizzle with a little more olive oil at the table, but this will increase the calories.

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