Ginger Shakshuka
“Shakshuka”
Aka “Shakshouka”, “Shaqshuqa”, “Chakchouka”…
The first time I heard it was at a friends place, when I asked what was cooking…
I thought I was being given yet another nickname!
Shakshuka could fall in line with “Squashy”, “Squishy”, and “Smelly” quite easily…
Yes – I have been called ALL those! Why – I don’t have a clue…
Though, there is this one lady I work with (and prank often) who stomps her foot and says “Squash Shashi” when she sees me walking down the hallway (and there are no witnesses)…hmmm…note to self, guess I need to stop pranking her…
Getting back to Shakshuka
(Which I was relieved to find out isn’t another nickname)
But it IS a dish said to be made of eggs poached in a sauce made mainly of tomatoes, onions and cumin; quite popular in Arabian/Middle Eastern/African countries such as Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, and Egypt.
It is highly aromatic – one of those dishes that as soon as they enter your olfactory system, they have this insane power to ignite those salivary glands in the back of your jaw – which are so hard to turn off -or tone down- unless they are introduced to the source of their ignition!
When I received a sample pack of a variety of canned tomatoes from Red Gold, I figured I would try my hand at “Shakshuka”! I used Red Gold’s lime and cilantro and green chilies Petite Diced Premium Tomatoes for a little kick as I like my food spicy!
While I love the heat of green chilies in a dish-they do stir up my stomach, so I try to balance them off with a good size chunk of ginger as ginger seems to help quell it. As I didn’t want to have leftovers, I made this dish with only 2 eggs, but add as many or as little as you want. Our house smelt wonderful while this cooked – Red Gold canned tomatoes were fresh and added a wonderfully unique taste and aroma to my version of Shakshuka.
Happy Thursday Everyone!
So do you have many nicknames? Do they rhyme with “Shakshuka”? 🙂
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Ingredients
- 1 red onion chopped
- 1.5 inch piece of ginger chopped very finely
- 5 cloves garlic chopped
- 6 sweet peppers also chopped
- 2 cans of diced tomatoes I used Red Gold Green Chilies and Lime& Cilantro
- Turmeric 1/2 teaspoon
- Cumin 1/2 teaspoon
- Paprika 1 teaspoon
- 2 eggs
- Salt and Pepper according to taste -I used a couple of "dashes"
- Cilantro to garnish
Instructions
- Saute the onion, garlic and ginger in a pan coated with olive oil, on a low/medium flame till onions begin to slightly caramelize (about 20-30 mins)
- Add the sweet peppers, tomatoes, turmeric, cumin, paprika and salt and pepper and let cook for 5 minutes
- Make two little"wells" in the tomato sauce and break the eggs into them, lower flame slightly and let cook, partially covered, for 10-15 minutes till the eggs are cooked.
- Serve with naan or pita or eat it straight from the pan like we did! 🙂
I love your spicy egg dish. I make a similar one but with more Italian influences with basil. I think this is a great idea for a leisurely brunch xx
Thanks Charlie – ooh, adding basil would make this so wonderful – I need to try that next time – thanks for the idea!
Shakshuka…what a fun name! I first thought the floating eggs atop were melted cheese 🙂 Gorgeous colour and flavour!
Shakshouka is so fun to say AND fun to eat! Love your ginger twist! It’s one of my favorite spices!
Thanks Joanne – you are so right about it being fun to say! …AND eat!!! 🙂
I’ve never had shakshuka but it sounds amazing! And a much better use for the Red Gold tomatoes than the “aoili” recipes they sent with the pack. LOL
I have several nicknames and one of which is the one I now use online and socially (Sashi). It’s actually easier for people to understand than my given name and *doesn’t* get mispronounced as often. 🙂
Thanks so much Sashi! I was not sure I could pull of aoili so I went with something I had tried before.
What a coinky dink you go by “Sashi” – I think you are the second Sashi I have met here in the US in the 17 yrs I have been here! Glad to have stumbled by 🙂
Hmmm…I can’t say that I’m familiar with shakshuka. But that’s why I absolutely love your blog…you always have some amazing recipes up that make me want to hit the kitchen and try them out. (even at 9:00am when I’m still finishing my morning coffee!) Thanks for being awesome!
Ahh – such a sweet compliment – thank you so much David!
Yum, Shashi!! I didn’t have much for breakfast today and this post has me drooling! I love the flavors you put in!!
Thanks so much Bill
Nope I don’t have any nickname! 😉
This dish looks absolutely amazing – it would make the most perfect brunch when paired with some crusty bread hhmmmm! xx
Thanks Consuelo – crusty bread would indeed have been wonderful – my daughter suggested it too – but I was too lazy to go to the store
The recipe sounds wonderful… With tomatoes, ginger, and many other great ingredients, this is like an aromatic, chunky sauce that can be served with several things. I love the eggs in it.
Thanks Denise – you are so right – the serving possibilities are endless – my daughter suggested a baguette next time and let it sop up all the juices – now am hungry again!
I’m a shakshuka virgin but I love the flavor profile of this dish; Your photos are beautiful and I can only imagine how wonderful this tasted! Lovely job!
Thanks so very much Dan!
I love Shakshuka spicy tomato and eggs, So delicious Love that you added ginger. Makes me hungry!!
Thanks so much Suzanne – the ginger added such a nice depth of flavor – my daughter and I practically licked the pan clean – just another reason we eat in 😉
Mmmm, I’ve never had shakshuka before but it looks incredible Shashi! Poached eggs in spiced tomato sauce and ginger – oh my sounds so tasty and flavorful 🙂 Haha every time I stop by here I get so hungry!
Ha – Thanks Kelly – P.S. I leave drooling after every visit to YOUR site, my friend 🙂
im eating some leftover shakshuka as i type this – im so glad to have found this dish.
Haha – what a coinky dink! Great minds eh?
🙂
This looks so flavorful! I’ve never had it before but it sounds great!
Thanks so much Mary!
Well I had never heard of this dish so I definitely learned something today! It sounds delicious! And you are too funny thinking it was them giving you another nickname!
Haha – Thanks Ashley – I am always learning new combos from you, so it made my day to hear you learned something from me 🙂
I could have Shakshuka any day of the week, it’s one of my fave dishes.
I love your version with ginger, it’s like middle east meets far east…I’m intrigued…
Thanks Mike! I grew up in the Middle East but only had Shakshuka after I moved here – go figure! 🙂
This looks so tasty!!! Gonna have to try it soon. I know several people that have problems with green chilies.
And, I don’t think I really have any nicknames – comes with having a blah name!!
Thanks Kim – Green chilies are dangerous – but I so love their “kick” – only topped by pepper flakes! Some ladies carry lipstick, I carry red pepper flakes in my purse 😉
Looks good!
Thanks Matt
We love shakshuka here! But what’s with the lady that says “Squash Shashi”? What on earth does that mean? 😮
Haha – Lorraine! She’s always trying to get me back for some of the pranks I’ve pulled on her – but it’s all in fun 🙂
I made something similar to this once and I had no idea it was an actual dish… with a complicated name 😉 I just had a craving for eggs and tomatoes that needed satisfying! And I’ve complained about people calling me Amanda Panda before, but I feel like Squash Shashi would be a little more annoying to deal with!
Cravings should always be satisfied and not “Squashed”!
The lady who stomps her foot and says Squash Shashi actually does it in jest – I mess with her computer all the time and she falls prey to it – all the time and well…I understand her desire to squash – but she will have to catch me first 🙂
I have no idea how to pronounce this but it looks and sounds amazing!
Yummy!! Love shakshuka!! Especially for weekend brunches 🙂
Oh that looks fabulous Shashi! I’m so intrigued with all those delicious flavors.
Pretty too!
Have a beautiful weekend!
This looks yummy!
We have a similar recipe in Italy too. It is called Eggs in Purgatory… long story behind! Love the idea of adding spices.