Shakshuka with Feta Cheese

Shakshuka with Feta Cheese is a simple dish consisting of poached eggs in a simmering tomato sauce with feta and spices, traditionally served in a cast iron skillet. Healthy, family-friendly and easy to prepare, it makes a perfect savory breakfast, lunch or dinner on a budget. The best part: dipping some thick bread slices or pita bread into the sauce.

I’m sharing today a traditional dish from the Middle East that I make every so often. It’s quick, easy, family-friendly, and everyone loves it for breakfast, lunch or dinner! The combo eggs-tomato also reminds me of a pretty similar version my mom used to make when I was a kid, using very large ripe tomatoes from the garden.

What is a Shakshuka?

A shaksuka is a simple dish prepared in a skillet and consisting of poached eggs served in a simmering tomato sauce with spices.

The origins. Its origin is a staple of Lybian, Egyptian, Tunisian, Algerian, Moroccan cuisines. It is now popular in Israel, where it was introduced by Libyan and Tunisian Jews, tens of thousands of whom immigrated to Israel during the 1950s. But to be fair, the dish is very popular in both the Middle East and North-Africa.

What does “Shakshuka” mean? In Arabic, shakshuka means “a mixture”. Some believe that it was first known as chakchouka, a Berber word meaning a vegetable ragout, but it remains unclear and there are many other beliefs. Traditional recipes are very basic, consisting of merely crushed tomatoes, hot peppers, garlic, salt, paprika, olive oil and poached eggs, but some version include other ingredients such as salty cheese – here feta cheese.

The ingredients you need:

• 1 large onion, sliced or diced, depending on your choice.
• 1 bell pepper (I use a red one), sliced or diced, depending on your choice.
• Garlic, to add some personality to the dish.
• 1 28-ounces (820 ml) can whole plum tomatoes, with juice. Chop them coarsely with a wooden spoon.
• Eggs. You can use between 4 to 6 eggs, depending on your preference. It’s always easy to add one more.
• Feta cheese. This is completely optional in a traditional shakshuka, although I highly recommend it. Feta makes the dish creamier and it adds in salty flavors.
• Spices: paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper.
• Fresh cilantro, for serving.

My secret spicy twist

You can prepare the shakshuka with a mix of spices including ground paprika, cumin and cayenne pepper. Then serve with hot sauce if you are up for a little additional kick.

I also LOVE to add some harissa paste to the dish to make it even more spicy with smoky flavors. I usually add about 1 teaspoon of harissa paste to the onion mixture together with the other spices, then I add the other ingredients and give a good stir to ensure the flavors are well distributed in the dish.

How to make a shakshuka?

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet on medium heat, then stir in the sliced (or diced) veggies until the onions become soft and translucent.
2. Add the garlic and spices and stir until they’re nice and fragrant.
3. Pour in a 28-ounce can (820 ml) of whole peeled tomatoes and use a wooden spatula to break up the tomatoes into smaller pieces.
4. Once the mixture is simmering, crack the eggs on top.
5. Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven until the eggs are just set.
6. Add some freshly ground black pepper, garnish with fresh cilantro, and enjoy!

Breakfast, brunch, or dinner?

The Shakshuka makes a perfect everyday meal but can also be served for a savory breakfast or for brunch. Also, when tomatoes are in season, I recommend you use large fresh ripe tomatoes instead of canned ones, it will be even tastier.

What to serve with your shakshuka?

Be confident and bring your own twist from time to time, adding some jalapeno slices, spicy sausages, or prosciutto for instance. Whatever option you choose, make sure you serve it with some hot sauce, fresh cilantro and large slices of bread (or any other bread of your choice), such as:

• Pita bread and homemade hummus
• Easy Classic No-Knead Bread
• Multiseed No-Knead Bread
• Whole Wheat No-Knead Bread

Other shakshuka recipes worth a try:

• Deluxe Shakshuka with Spicy Potatoes and Chickpeas
• Green Shakshuka
• Vegan Eggplant Shakshuka

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