Shakshuka
Serves: 2 people
Takes: 15 mins to 30 mins
Ideal for brunch, this North African dish has all the flavours you need - poached eggs in an aromatic sweet tomato sauce full of cumin, paprika and suitably herby. I've added a few twists of my own to add some extra zing.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons oil, I like rapeseed oil
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 onion, sliced
400g tin chopped tomatoes
2 teaspoons honey
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
good pinch of chilli powder
good pinch of dried herbs, I like oregano or thyme
good pinch of sea salt
2 tablespoons fresh coriander
4 eggs
Method
Gently heat the oil in a large frying pan and add the bay leaf and cumin seeds.
When they start to sizzle add the onions and fry until light golden brown. This should take about 5 minutes.
Pour in the chopped tomatoes and around 100ml water.
Drizzle in the honey and sprinkle in the paprika, chilli, herbs and sea salt. Roughly chop the stalks of the fresh coriander and add this to the shakshuka. Stir well and allow to cook for 5 minutes.
Taste the tomatoes and adjust the seasoning if required. Make 4 wells in the pan and crack in the eggs, trying not to break the yolks.
Allow to cook for 5 minutes, or until the egg whites are set and the yolks are cooked to your liking. Traditionally the yolks are always runny, but cook them the way you prefer.
Serve sprinkled with the coriander leaves and some crusty bread for dipping.
