Breakfast & Brunch Vegetarian

Sunrise Shakshuka

A hearty North African breakfast of eggs poached in spiced tomato sauce with peppers, onions, and warming spices, topped with tangy feta and crunchy pine nuts.

4.7 (3 reviews)
By Ricky Robinson Updated August 13, 2024

Shakshuka is a simple, hearty dish that works perfectly for breakfast, brunch, or even a quick dinner. It comes from North Africa and has become popular worldwide thanks to its rich, comforting flavours and straightforward preparation.

The dish is made by poaching eggs in a robust, spiced tomato sauce with peppers and onions, which makes it both nutritious and satisfying. The vegetables and spices create a deep, flavourful base that pairs perfectly with the richness of the eggs.

The secret is in the sauce. Let it simmer long enough for the spices to meld together, and you will have a breakfast worth getting up for.

You start by cooking onions and peppers until they soften and release their natural sweetness. Then you add garlic, cumin, caraway seeds, cayenne pepper, and coriander to build a warm, aromatic flavour profile. Tomato purée and chopped tomatoes form the base of the sauce, which is simmered until it thickens slightly and all the flavours come together beautifully.

Sunrise Shakshuka recipe image
Sunrise Shakshuka

The eggs are poached directly in the sauce, which allows them to absorb some of its rich flavours as they cook. It is a good idea to make small wells in the sauce to cradle each egg, which ensures they cook evenly. Once the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, the dish is finished with a sprinkling of crumbled feta cheese, pine nuts, and fresh parsley.

These toppings add a lovely contrast of textures and flavours. The creamy, tangy feta complements the spiced tomato base, whilst the pine nuts provide a gentle crunch and the parsley adds a fresh, vibrant note. Shakshuka is best enjoyed with some toasted bread on the side, perfect for mopping up the delicious sauce. It is easy to prepare, packed with flavour, and a great way to use up any vegetables you have on hand.

Sunrise Shakshuka

Eggs Peppers Tomatoes
Total Time 25 min
Servings 4 servings
Calories 285 cal
Protein 14g

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Large Frying Pan with Lid

Instructions

  1. 1
    Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan that has a lid. Add the onions and peppers, and season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat until they've softened.
  2. 2
    Add the garlic and cook for a minute. Then add the cumin, caraway seeds, cayenne pepper, and coriander, and cook for another minute. Next, add the tomato purée and a splash of water, cooking for a couple more minutes. Pour in the chopped tomatoes and stir well.
  3. 3
    Lower the heat and simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes, uncovered, until it has reduced a little. Add some water if the sauce gets too thick.
  4. 4
    Make 4 small spaces in the sauce. One at a time, break the eggs into a cup and carefully drop them into the spaces. Cover with the lid and cook for about 2 minutes until the whites are just set and the yolks are still runny. Sprinkle with feta cheese, pine nuts, and parsley. Serve with toasted bread.
Ricky Robinson - Recipe Author
Ricky Robinson

Home cook sharing delicious recipes with a focus on flavour and simplicity.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve with toasted bread or warm flatbread to mop up the spiced tomato sauce. A simple side salad works well too.

Variations

For a heartier version, add chickpeas or white beans to the sauce. You can also adjust the spice level by reducing the cayenne pepper or adding extra chilli flakes for more heat.

Sunrise Shakshuka

Rate & Review

4.7 • 3 reviews

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