Spiced Tomato and Egg Delight
Experience the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this Spiced Tomato and Egg Delight. Inspired by the iconic dish Shakshuka, this recipe features a savory and spiced tomato sauce brimming with fresh vegetables, simmered to perfection. Topped with beautifully poached eggs and garnished with aromatic za'atar, it’s a versatile dish that's perfect for breakfast, brunch, or any meal of the day. Serve it with warm pita bread to soak up the rich flavors, and enjoy a dish that brings warmth and nourishment to your table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1 tablespoon (None)
onion
1 medium (roughly chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
jalapeno
1 teaspoon (minced and seeded (or more to taste))
red peppers or green peppers
2 (roughly chopped)
fresh plum tomatoes
8 (roughly chopped)
Italian plum tomatoes
2 (28 ounce) cans (strained and peeled)
hot paprika or cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon (None)
sweet paprika
2 teaspoons (None)
turmeric
1 teaspoon (None)
salt
1 teaspoon (more to taste)
fresh ground black pepper
1 teaspoon (more to taste)
sugar
1 teaspoon (None)
canned tomato juice
1 cup (None)
vegetable broth
1/2 cup (None)
large eggs
4 (None)
za'atar spice mix
to taste (for serving)
pita bread
4 (warmed)
Instructions
1
In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent and lightly golden, about 5-7 minutes.
2
Stir in the minced garlic, jalapeño, and roughly chopped bell peppers, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until the peppers begin to soften.
3
Add the fresh chopped plum tomatoes and the strained canned tomatoes to the pan. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
4
Incorporate the hot and sweet paprika, turmeric, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Stir the mixture and let it cook for about 1 minute to bloom the spices.
5
Pour in the tomato juice and vegetable broth, bringing the mixture to a full boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and simmer uncovered for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If needed, add more tomato juice or vegetable broth to reach the desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper.
6
Gently crack the eggs directly into the tomato mixture, being careful not to break the yolks. Cover the pan and simmer until the egg whites are set and the yolks are still runny, about 8 minutes, or longer to your preference. For a firmer yolk, place the pan under the broiler for a couple of minutes.
7
Ladle generous portions of the spiced tomato mixture and eggs into four serving bowls. Finish with a sprinkle of za'atar spice mix and serve with warm pita bread on the side.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spiced Tomato and Egg Delight?
Spiced Tomato and Egg Delight is a vibrant Mediterranean dish inspired by Shakshuka, featuring a savory spiced tomato sauce with fresh vegetables and poached eggs.
Is this dish suitable for breakfast?
Yes, it is a versatile dish perfect for breakfast, brunch, or any meal of the day.
What are the main ingredients for the sauce?
The sauce is made from olive oil, onion, garlic, jalapeño, bell peppers, fresh plum tomatoes, and canned Italian plum tomatoes.
How long should the sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer uncovered for about 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and reach the desired consistency.
What spices are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses hot paprika (or cayenne), sweet paprika, turmeric, salt, black pepper, sugar, and a za'atar garnish.
How many eggs are required?
The recipe calls for 4 large eggs.
How do you cook the eggs in the sauce?
Gently crack the eggs directly into the tomato mixture, cover the pan, and simmer for about 8 minutes until the whites are set.
What should I serve with this dish?
It is best served with warm pita bread to soak up the rich flavors of the spiced tomato sauce.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, the recipe uses vegetable broth and eggs, making it a vegetarian dish.
Can I make the egg yolks firmer?
Yes, for firmer yolks, you can place the pan under the broiler for a couple of minutes after simmering.
How do I prepare the canned tomatoes?
The canned Italian plum tomatoes should be strained and peeled before being added to the pan.
What kind of oil is recommended?
The recipe recommends using olive oil for sautéing the vegetables.
What is za'atar?
Za'atar is a Mediterranean spice mix used as a garnish to finish the dish with aromatic flavor.
Can I adjust the spiciness?
Yes, you can adjust the heat by adding more minced jalapeño or increasing the amount of hot paprika or cayenne pepper.
What liquids are used to create the sauce consistency?
Canned tomato juice and vegetable broth are used to reach the desired sauce consistency.
Why is sugar included in the recipe?
A teaspoon of sugar is added to help balance the acidity of the tomatoes in the sauce.
What type of fresh tomatoes should I use?
The recipe specifically calls for 8 roughly chopped fresh plum tomatoes.
How long do I sauté the onions?
Sauté the chopped onion for 5-7 minutes until it becomes translucent and lightly golden.
Can I use green bell peppers?
Yes, the recipe allows for either red peppers or green peppers.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The instructions suggest ladling the mixture into four serving bowls, implying four servings.
Should the jalapeño be seeded?
Yes, the jalapeño should be minced and seeded before adding it to the dish.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat and sauté the onions.
When do I add the garlic and peppers?
Add the minced garlic, jalapeño, and bell peppers after the onions have become translucent, cooking for another 2 minutes.
What should I do if the sauce is too thick?
If needed, you can add more tomato juice or vegetable broth to reach your desired consistency while simmering.
How do I bloom the spices?
Incorporate the paprika, turmeric, salt, pepper, and sugar into the tomato mixture and let it cook for about 1 minute.
Is the sauce simmered covered or uncovered?
The sauce is simmered uncovered for the 1-hour duration to reduce and thicken.
What preparation is needed for the onion?
The onion should be roughly chopped before sautéing.
Can I use more than four eggs?
While the recipe calls for four, you can add more eggs if your pan size allows and you adjust the serving portions.
What tags describe this recipe?
Tags include shakshuka, mediterranean, breakfast, brunch, vegetarian, spiced tomatoes, eggs, za'atar, and comfort food.
What is the preparation for the fresh plum tomatoes?
The fresh plum tomatoes should be roughly chopped before being added to the pan.