Yotam Ottolenghi's Shakshuka Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Serves a Crowd

by: Food52

November29,2016

4

23 Ratings

  • Cook time 30 minutes
  • Serves 4

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Author Notes

This shakshuka comes from the inimitable Yotam Ottolenghi and his cookbook Jerusalem (10 Speed Press, 2011). Great for breakfast at dinner or the most comforting brunch ever. Homemade harissa makes it even better. —Food52

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

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Yotam Ottolenghi'sShakshuka

Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoonsolive oil
  • 1 teaspoonharissa (homemade, if you'd like)
  • 2 teaspoonstomato paste
  • 2 (2 cups / 300 grams) large red peppers, diced in 1/4-inch pieces
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoonground cumin
  • 5 cups(800 grams) very ripe tomatoes, chopped; canned are also fine
  • 4 large eggs, plus 4 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup(120 grams) labneh or thick yogurt
  • 1 pinchsalt
Directions
  1. In a large frying pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil and then add the harissa, tomato paste, red peppers, garlic, cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Saute for about 10 minutes, until the peppers soften. Add the tomatoes, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
  2. Make eight little dips in the sauce. Gently break the eggs and carefully pour each int its own dip. Do the same with the yolks, Use a fork to swirl the egg whites a little bit with the sauce, taking care not to break the yolks. Simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes, until the egg whites are set but the yolks are still running. Remove from the heat, leave for a couple of minutes to settle, then spoon into individual plates. and serve with the labneh or yogurt.

Tags:

  • Middle Eastern
  • Cumin
  • Vegetable
  • Egg
  • Serves a Crowd
  • New Year's Day
  • New Year's Eve
  • Vegetarian
  • Food52 Pantry
  • Entree
  • Breakfast
  • Side

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Barbara J Kilian

  • Frank

  • Terri

  • Macheese

Popular on Food52

9 Reviews

Terri April 15, 2022

Just found this channel on my Roku TV.
Can’t wait to try all these yummy recipes. Starting with Shakshuka from Otto. Yum!!

Macheese October 25, 2021

I love this recipe! I made it in my IP. Sauteed the red peppers/ cumin/ harissa etc first then added in tomatoes and cooked 5 minutes on manual setting. Didn’t quick release. Added 4 whole eggs and then did the manual setting for 1 minute. I was doing several other things at home and wanted the luxury of not having to tend to it. Came out delicious. I did not quick release after the eggs were done so the yolks were well cooked- next time I’m going to quick release so I can see if they’re a bit softer.
Super easy and I’m already planning a brunch with this as the main 😃😋

Barbara J. September 22, 2019

Before I heard of satshuka, I used to do this with left over Ethiopian food. Then when I learned to make Ethiopian food, I did it as a main dish. I do a similar satshuka without bell pepper (a loathed ingredient in my home). Tips for getting the eggs cooked: out a lid on it or tos under broiler.

Susan B. April 13, 2019

We enjoyed this dish. However, my eggs were still raw after the 8-10 mins. of simmering called for by the recipe. And I did spoon the sauce up over the whites. After 20 minutes, including turning it up to a higher simmer and using a lid, I went ahead and served it. I think it could have cooked even longer but my wife had to leave. I’ve seen another version where one takes a fork and drags the eggs into the sauce at the end of cooking time which might explain the 4 egg yolks to add a creamier texture. I served it with fresh cauliflower rice cooked with coconut oil, plenty of salt and a small pinch of white pepper. I’ll definitely make it again as it was super easy and different. Next time I’ll allow plenty of time for the eggs to poach. Also, I may add another 1/2 tsp of harissa. 1 tsp. of harissa made for just a mild heat.

JESSICA September 19, 2019

I add a full tsp of harissa (we like it spicy) and I usually pass this under the broiler to cook the eggs right. I also add some crumbled feta and sprinkle Za'atar on top at the end.

Anonymous November 29, 2020

I just make the sauce, of any shakshuka recipe, plate enough for just my husband and myself (that would be half of this recipe) and top with a fried egg. That way I have control on the doneness of the eggs (my husband likes hard yolks, and I like runny). And then I save the rest of the sauce for another meal, and top with fried eggs again. So much easier!

melissa December 20, 2016

is there a reason to use 4 eggs + 4 yolks, rather than just 8 eggs?

X January 1, 2017

I just used 4 "Happy Eggs" which are huge, and didn't stir them into the sauce but rather poached them. It came out really good.

Frank November 11, 2018

I would assume to add a creamy richness without the "egg" flavor.

Yotam Ottolenghi's Shakshuka Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Yotam Ottolenghi's Shakshuka Recipe on Food52? ›

It's a quick, flavourful, and satisfying meal, especially after a long day. Also, it is perfectly acceptable to eat shakshuka straight out of the pan, using wedges of pita bread as your spoon. Of course, if you prefer a knife and fork, spoon the eggs with their sauce over lightly toasted bread.

Do you eat shakshuka with spoon or fork? ›

It's a quick, flavourful, and satisfying meal, especially after a long day. Also, it is perfectly acceptable to eat shakshuka straight out of the pan, using wedges of pita bread as your spoon. Of course, if you prefer a knife and fork, spoon the eggs with their sauce over lightly toasted bread.

What is traditionally served with shakshuka? ›

On the side, pickled vegetables and North African sausage called merguez might be served, or simply bread, with mint tea. In Jewish culture, a large batch of tomato stew is made for the Sabbath dinner and the leftovers used the following morning to make a breakfast shakshouka with eggs.

What kind of bread to serve with shakshuka? ›

Bread or pita bread.

For a very western version, you'll want to make a classic no-knead bread (super easy!) for the occasion. But for a Middle Eastern version like the one I'm suggesting here, you'll swap white bread with pita bread!

What is shakshuka in turkey called? ›

The Turkish Şakş*cka and the Israeli version, often referred to as Shakshuka, are both delicious and vibrant dishes, but they aren't the same exact thing: Base ingredients: In Turkish Şakş*cka, the base typically consists of fried or roasted eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, and onions, often with a tomato sauce on top.

Do you eat shakshuka in a bowl or plate? ›

Connoisseurs insist shakshuka should be eaten from the pan.

How do you not overcook eggs in shakshuka? ›

After breaking the eggs into the sauce, gently spoon some of the sauce over just the whites. This helps the whites cook faster so they set before the yolks overcook. Cover and rotate. Covering the skillet allows the eggs to steam-cook, which moves things along.

Is shakshuka Israeli or African? ›

Even though many people today associate shakshuka with Israel, it actually originated in North Africa and the Ottoman Empire: the only reason shakshuka is eaten in Israel is because North African Jewish immigrants brought it there.

Is shakshuka Arabic or Israeli? ›

Many think of this dish an Israeli breakfast food because it is quite popular in places like Tel Aviv, but these eggs in tomato sauce are something you'll find in many parts of North Africa and the Middle East. Fun fact, the origins of the word shakshuka comes from the Arabic for "all mixed up" or "shaken."

What part of Africa is shakshuka from? ›

It is believed to have a Tunisian origin. Shakshuka means "a mixture" or “shaken” in Tunisian dialect. Shakshuka is a staple of Tunisian, Libyan, Algerian, and Moroccan cuisines traditionally served up in a cast iron pan with bread to mop up the sauce (most important).

What vegetables go well with shakshuka? ›

The best side dishes to serve with shakshuka are crusty bread, pita bread, hummus, sauteed spinach, avocado fries, gluten-free bread, Israeli salad, couscous, labneh, roasted potatoes, olives, and feta cheese.

What's the difference between shakshuka and Menemen? ›

Both Shakshuka and Menemen serve as rich, cultural embodiments of their respective cuisines. Shakshuka, with its layered flavors, mirrors the diversity of North African and Israeli culinary heritage. Menemen, by contrast, champions simplicity and freshness, epitomizing Turkish cuisine's essence.

Can you eat shakshuka the next day? ›

Can you reheat shakshuka? You certainly can! Some even say it tastes better the next day, or even the day after that when the spices in the homemade shakshuka tomato sauce have had time to infuse and develop further. As it is an egg dish, we recommend reheating it on the stovetop rather than in the microwave.

Is shakshuka Israeli or Palestinian? ›

Shakshuka, a common vegetarian dish in the region, is made of eggs, tomatoes, onions, peppers and cumin. It is originally a Turkish dish with meat, but Tunisian Jews who moved to Israel eliminated the meat. Palestinians picked it up because of its similarity toward traditional Arabic dishes.

What's the difference between eggs in purgatory and shakshuka? ›

The main difference between shakshuka and eggs in purgatory is the spices and herbs. Skakshuka features Middle Eastern spices, such as cumin and sweet paprika. Eggs in purgatory does not include these spices and uses Italian herbs, such as oregano and basil.

What is a fun fact about shakshuka? ›

1. Shakshuka is a delicious combination of eggs, tomatoes, and spices popular across the Middle East and North Africa. Shakshuka comes in many shapes and sizes. The dish is likely of Tunisian or Yemini origin, and the name is thought to originate from either Arabic or Amazigh (Berber) for "mixture."

Do you eat shakshuka with a spoon? ›

Serving Suggestions

A fork and a knife (plus a spoon) are just as efficient when enjoying shakshuka. Sometimes, however, we enjoy this dish with thick slices of almond flour bread or these cheese biscuits. You can even use pork rinds for scooping out the tomato sauce.

Do you cook eggs with a spoon or fork? ›

The most basic way to make scrambled eggs is to whisk eggs in a bowl with a fork or whisk, add salt and pepper to taste, and then cook in a non-stick pan over low heat, stirring frequently until the eggs are set but still creamy.

Do you eat scrambled eggs with a fork or spoon? ›

If you let it cool down enough, you could easily eat it with your hands. As for utensils, well that depends on crockery and eating preferences. A spoon would be best suited for a mug type situation (e.g.: microwaved eggs in a cup) while forks are the standard for plate servings and cafe/bistro environs.

What utensil do you eat eggs with? ›

An egg spoon is a specialized spoon for eating boiled eggs. In comparison to a teaspoon it typically has a shorter handle and bowl, a more pointed tip and often a more rounded bowl. These characteristics are designed to facilitate the removal of an egg's contents from the shell, through a hole in one end.

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