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Homemade Moroccan Eggs Shakshuka photo

Moroccan Eggs Shakshuka

A vibrant North African-style shakshuka of tomatoes, roasted red peppers, spices, and baked eggs served with warm pita.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 6 8-inch pita breads divided; tear half of one pita for processing and cut remaining into wedges for serving
  • 28 ounces whole peeled tomatoes drained
  • 24 ounces roasted red peppers drained and divided (about 3 cups); use 12 ounces in the processor and reserve the rest chopped
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1-2 jalapeño peppers stemmed and seeded if desired, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon red harissa paste
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste (recipe suggests about 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper)
  • 6 eggs
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves and stems, coarsely chopped
  • 1 ounce feta cheese
  • 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives for serving, optional
  • zhoug sauce for serving, optional

Equipment

  • Food Processor
  • 12-inch skillet
  • Spoon
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • small bowls
  • oven (optional)

Method
 

  1. Tear half of one pita into pieces and place in a food processor; cut the remaining pitas into wedges for serving and keep warm in a low oven if desired.
  2. Add the drained whole peeled tomatoes and 12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) of the drained roasted red peppers to the food processor with the pita pieces and process until smooth, about 1–2 minutes.
  3. Chop the remaining reserved roasted red peppers into 1/4-inch pieces and set aside.
  4. Heat the olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the minced garlic and chopped jalapeños and cook, stirring, until softened, about 1–2 minutes.
  5. Stir in the harissa paste, tomato paste, coriander, smoked paprika, cumin, and salt and pepper (about 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper is suggested). Cook, stirring, until the spices darken and become fragrant, about 1–2 minutes.
  6. Carefully add the tomato–pepper puree from the food processor and the reserved chopped roasted peppers to the skillet, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. Remove the skillet from the heat and use the back of a spoon to make six shallow indentations in the sauce. Crack each egg into a small bowl, then gently pour one egg into each indentation.
  8. Spoon some sauce over the egg whites, return the skillet to low heat, cover, and cook until the whites are set and yolks are still soft, about 4–5 minutes.
  9. Remove from heat and garnish with chopped cilantro, crumbled feta, and optional Kalamata olives and zhoug. Serve immediately with warm pita wedges.

Notes

  • Find pita in the bakery section or make your own if desired.
  • Jarred roasted red peppers are fine to use instead of roasting your own.
  • Include jalapeño seeds or add a second jalapeño for more heat, or omit for a mild version.
  • Reduce or omit harissa to lower the spice level.
  • Substitute sweet paprika if you don't have smoked paprika.
  • Zhoug is an optional spicy green sauce commonly served with shakshuka.