Shakshouka

Name: Shakshouka
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Palestinian
Ingredients: 6 large eggs; 6 ripe tomatoes, chopped (or 800g canned); 2 bell peppers, diced; 1 large onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp paprika; 1/2 tsp chili flakes; Salt and pepper; Fresh parsley and cilantro; Warm pita bread for serving

شكشوكة (shak-SHOO-kah)

Eggs Poached in Spiced Tomato Sauce

⏱ Prep Time 30 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 290 kcal

Eggs gently poached in a vibrant, cumin-spiced tomato and pepper sauce, served sizzling in the skillet with warm bread for scooping. This beloved Palestinian breakfast dish transforms simple ingredients into morning comfort.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 14.0g

Carbs 18.0g

Fat 18.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian dairy-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ eggs

Equipment Needed

large cast-iron skillet with lid wooden spoon

Ingredients

6 large eggs
6 ripe tomatoes, chopped (or 800g canned)
2 bell peppers, diced
1 large onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp chili flakes
Salt and pepper
Fresh parsley and cilantro
Warm pita bread for serving

Instructions

1
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until softened, about 5 minutes.
2
Add diced bell peppers and cook for another 5 minutes until they begin to soften and caramelize at the edges.
3
Stir in garlic, cumin, paprika, and chili flakes. Cook for one minute until very fragrant.
4
Add chopped tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes until the sauce has thickened and reduced.
5
Make 6 wells in the sauce with the back of a spoon. Crack an egg into each well. Cover and cook 5-7 minutes until whites are set but yolks are still runny.
6
Garnish with fresh parsley and cilantro. Serve immediately in the skillet with warm pita bread for scooping.

💡

Did You Know?

Palestinian families often argue passionately about whether shakshouka yolks should be runny or fully set — there is no diplomatic middle ground.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large cast-iron skillet with lid
wooden spoon

The Story Behind Shakshouka

Shakshouka has been a staple of Palestinian breakfast tables for generations, with roots in the broader Levantine and North African culinary traditions. The word likely derives from an Arabic or Berber term meaning "a mixture." In Palestinian households, the dish is cherished as the ultimate communal breakfast, with the whole family gathering around a single skillet with bread in hand. Each cook personalizes their version — some add feta cheese, others include preserved lemon — making every family's shakshouka uniquely their own.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed breakfast or brunch 📜 Origins: Ottoman-era Levantine

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Shakshouka

Nutrition & Info

Dietary

Allergen Warnings

Equipment Needed

Instructions

Did You Know?

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

The Story Behind Shakshouka

Comments (0)

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