Shakshuka Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes | Aline Made (2024)

FAQs

Should you cook tomatoes before blending? ›

If you're working with an immersion blender, feel free to stick it right into the pot to purée. For a food processor or stand blender, let the cooked tomatoes cool for about 10 minutes before blending. Depending on the size of your blender, you may have to work in batches.

Spoon a little bit of the sauce around the whites of the eggs to help them set just a touch faster than the yolks, cover the pan, and let it simmer and steam just until the whites are barely set and the yolks are still golden and soft.

Even though many people today associate shakshuka with Israel, it actually originated in North Africa and the Ottoman Empire: the only reason shakshuka is eaten in Israel is because North African Jewish immigrants brought it there. This brings us to a contentious topic: food appropriation.

Green Shakshuka Ingredients

Leeks and Asparagus: These spring vegetables add a delicate, slightly sweet flavor that brightens the dish. Green Peas: Use fresh or frozen. Once blanched, peas create a smooth texture when blended into the broth. Eggs: The eggs are poached in the vegetables to runny-yolked perfection.

In a salad or sandwich, you don't need peeled tomatoes. But, if you're making a fresh tomato sauce or stewed tomatoes, the tomatoes should be peeled, cored, and seeded. The result will be a smoother sauce without any seeds, core, or peel in it.

Ingredients to make shakshuka breakfast

Seasonings: Cumin, paprika, coriander, salt, and pepper. Eggs: The shakshuka eggs are dropped into little 'nests' or intentions in the sauce and poached to your liking. I prefer a medium cook where the white is cooked through and the yolks are left runny.

The main difference between shakshuka and eggs in purgatory is the spices and herbs. Skakshuka features Middle Eastern spices, such as cumin and sweet paprika. Eggs in purgatory does not include these spices and uses Italian herbs, such as oregano and basil.

“Shakshuka should be made and served in a cast iron pan.”

Many restaurants dish out shakshuka in cast iron for the simple reason that it's one of the less expensive tools for turning out the dish quickly.

Showing your stomach is not a big deal in cities like Haifa or Tel Aviv. Also, very few Israeli women wear shorts! Even though it is VERY hot in Israel, wear pants and get used to it. Jeans, stretch, or wide legged pants – you can buy these for basically 5 American dollars in most places in Israel.

The catchy name refers both to the appearance and flavor of the eggs. The amorphous egg white encircling the yolks is said to evoke the souls of those in Purgatory. The red, spicy sauce represents the flames by which those doomed souls are surrounded. A somber take on such a delicious dish!

What meat goes well with shakshuka? ›

Growing up in Egypt, my favorite was from a Cairo restaurant near the Nile called Felfela, where they served shakshuka eggs mild or spicy, with or without meat (often small chunks of beef or lamb), with a stack of warm pita bread.

Bread or pita bread.

The first side you want to serve with your shakshuka is of course the bread, so you can dip it into the sauce. For a very western version, you'll want to make a classic no-knead bread (super easy!) for the occasion.

Both Shakshuka and Menemen serve as rich, cultural embodiments of their respective cuisines. Shakshuka, with its layered flavors, mirrors the diversity of North African and Israeli culinary heritage. Menemen, by contrast, champions simplicity and freshness, epitomizing Turkish cuisine's essence.

Why Boil Tomatoes? Boiling tomatoes helps to break down their tough skins and softens them, making it easier to remove the skin and create a smooth sauce. It also enhances the natural sweetness and intensifies the flavors of the tomatoes.

Put the tomatoes, salt and garlic (if using) in a blender or food processor and pulse a few times until tomatoes are broken down. Next, blend the tomatoes while slowly streaming the olive oil in until you reach a smooth consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning to your preference.

Before you can begin blending your puree, you need to soften any hard produce. Wash and cut up your fruits and vegetables, removing any stems, skins or inedible seeds. Steam, roast or sautee your fruits and vegetables using your preferred technique.