Shakshuka Eggs With Grilled Haloumi Recipes

EGGS IN PURGATORY: SHAKSHUKA

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat. When it shimmers, add onion and cook until just softened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, harissa, and garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add peppers and stir to coat. Add tomatoes and salt and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 30 minutes.
• Stir in half of the parsley, break the eggs over the tomatoes. Cover and continue to cook for about 7 to 8 minutes, until the eggs are set. Sprinkle remaining parsley, season with freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately with pita bread or baguette.

SHAKSHUKA (BAKED EGGS WITH SPICY TOMATO SAUCE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• To make the spicy tomato sauce, in a large saucepan over low heat, combine the olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, Maras pepper, and hawayej. Simmer until the tomatoes are soft and melted, about 15 minutes. It is important to cook the sauce slowly so the tomatoes are soft enough to puree but don't reduce too much. Set the sauce aside to cool slightly.
• Using an immersion blender and starting at low speed, puree the sauce, gradually increasing the speed as the mixture becomes smoother and resembles a silky tomato soup. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate up for up to 1 week or use immediately.
• When you are ready to make the shakshuka, gently reheat the sauce and pour it into a 9x13-inch glass baking dish or six soufflé ramekins or small cazuelas (4 to 5 inches in diameter and at least 1-inch high).
• To make in a 9x13-inch dish, first crack each egg into a small bowl or ramekin to ensure that the yolks stay intact. Using the back of a spoon, make a divot for each egg and slide it into the sauce, one at a time, so that it doesn't float on top; leave a little space between each egg.
• To make in individual baking dishes, set the ramekins onto a baking sheet. Ladle about 1/2 cup sauce into each dish and, using the back of a spoon, make a divot for the egg. To ensure that the yolks stay intact, first crack each egg into a small bowl or ramekin, then slide it into the sauce.
• Lightly season the eggs with salt and transfer to the oven. Bake until the egg whites are just barely set and the yolks are very loose, about 20 minutes.
• Remove the shakshuka from the oven. Scoop one egg on top of each pita bread and carefully spoon a generous amount of tomato sauce from the pan over the top of the egg. Place 1 teaspoon of zhoug on top of each serving and pass around additional zhoug at the table. If serving the shakshuka individually, top each shakshuka with 2 teaspoons of zhoug and serve them with a spoon and the bread on the side so that you can use the bread or spoon to scoop up the sauce. Serve immediately with additional zhoug.

MEXICAN SHAKSHUKA AKA 'EGGS IN A POT'

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir chorizo with mushrooms and onion in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard fat.
• Combine diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and tomato paste in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and stir in the chorizo mixture and most of the crema, reserving a small amount to drizzle on top later. Cover and let simmer, stirring occasionally, until stew is the texture of a thick chili, at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Lightly butter both sides of the bread slices and place on a baking sheet.
• Toast in the preheated oven, turning bread halfway, for 10 minutes.
• Fill a pot with water and add baking soda. Bring to a boil. Add eggs and boil for exactly 5 minutes and 45 seconds. Remove eggs and immediately place into an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. Remove shells.
• Place eggs into the chorizo stew to re-warm them. Top with queso fresco and drizzle with the remaining crema. Serve in bowls with pieces of toasted bread.