Middle Eastern Β· One-Pan
Recipe 06
🌢 Tunisia β†’ Israel β†’ Your Kitchen

Shak-
shu-
ka

Eggs poached in a spiced tomato and pepper stew until the whites are set and the yolks are still molten. Served directly from the pan, with bread that doesn't apologize for being used as a spoon.

⏱ 30 minutes
🍳 Serves 4
πŸ”₯ 340 cal
🌿 Vegetarian
Everything You Need

Ingredients

πŸ«‘ The Sauce Base
Large eggs6
Crushed tomatoes800g (2 cans)
Red bell peppers, sliced2
White onion, sliced thin1 large
Garlic cloves, minced5
Tomato paste2 tbsp
Olive oil3 tbsp
πŸ§€ To Finish
Feta cheese, crumbled80g
Fresh cilantroLarge bunch
Crusty bread or pitaTo serve
Harissa paste (optional)1 tbsp
Lemon wedges2 lemons
Extra-virgin olive oilDrizzle
The Spice Blend
Cumin, ground2 tsp
Sweet paprika2 tsp
Smoked paprika1 tsp
Cayenne pepperΒΌ tsp
Coriander, ground1 tsp
Salt & black pepperTo taste
From Pan to Table

Method

1
Build the base

Heat olive oil in a wide, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add onion and peppers and cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until completely softened and beginning to caramelize at the edges. Add garlic and tomato paste, stir and cook 2 more minutes until the paste darkens slightly.

2
Bloom the spices

Add all the spices directly to the pan and stir for 60 seconds. You'll smell exactly when they're ready β€” the cumin goes from raw to toasty. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, add harissa if using, season generously, and simmer 15 minutes until thick and jammy.

3
Make wells, add eggs

Use a spoon to make 6 shallow wells in the sauce. Crack an egg into each well. Cover the pan with a lid and cook on medium-low for 5–7 minutes. The whites should be just set and opaque; the yolks should still jiggle when you shake the pan gently.

4
Finish & serve from the pan

Remove from heat. Crumble feta over the top. Scatter fresh cilantro. Drizzle with olive oil. Bring the entire pan to the table with bread alongside. This is a dish that should never be plated β€” the pan is the vessel, and sharing from it is the point.

Getting
the
Eggs
Right
Runny yolks at 5 min
Cover and watch closely. Five minutes gives flowing yolks. Seven gives jammy. Nine gives firm. Pull the moment it looks one step underdone β€” carryover heat finishes the job.
Room temp eggs
Cold eggs from the fridge take longer to set and the whites can become rubbery before the yolk warms through. Take them out 20 minutes before cooking.
Deep wells
Make the wells deeper than you think you need. If the sauce is too thin around the egg, the white will spread and you'll lose the neat pocket shape.
One pan, always
The eggs cook in the sauce, absorbing its flavor as they set. Never pre-cook eggs separately β€” you lose the entire point of the dish.