Moroccan Eggs in Tomato Sauce (Shakshuka)

Moroccan eggs in tomato sauce is a healthy comfort dish that is so easy to prepare. It is a tasty option for brunch or any other meal of the day. Here I show you how to make it in a traditional Moroccan tagine, but it can easily be prepared in a regular pan too.

So nourishing like our Kuku Sabzi (Herb Frittata).

WHAT IS SHAKSHUKA?

Shakshuka is a simple and delicious dish of eggs that are poached in a nicely spiced tomato sauce that is cooked with onions, chili peppers and garnished with some herbs. It is north African in origin, although some reports say that the popular version may be specifically from Tunisian cuisine.

Nevertheless, it is a dish now common in north Africa, the Levant and some middle eastern countries. Although it is often served at breakfast or brunch, it can be a quick meal for any time of the day.

PRO TIPS

• Although I have prepared this dish in a Moroccan tagine, it can also be made in a regular pan. And in fact works great in a cast iron skillet.
• After adding the eggs to the tomato sauce, it can also be transferred to the oven to finish baking it at 400 degrees F for 6 to 10 minutes depending on how well done you like your eggs.
• Check it out to see what time works best in your oven. I like the way eggs set when they are baked. The colors are more vivid and the texture is also so good.
• Cooking with a tagine is so much fun and it gets better with practice. The earthenware retains heat and also condenses the steam and adds it back to the dish.

HEALTH BENEFITS

The most recent dietary guidelines exclude a cholesterol limit. So, eggs are making a comeback. Eggs have had a bad reputation as they are a rich source of dietary cholesterol. However, research has shown that dietary cholesterol does not have a huge impact on blood cholesterol levels.

For only about 70 calories, eggs are an excellent source of high quality protein and contain mostly unsaturated fat. The antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin in eggs are protective for the eyes.

Eggs are also a good source of choline. Evolving research shows an important role for choline in brain development, nerve and liver function as well as in heart health.

Eggs are very satisfying and keep a person full longer. So moderate consumption of eggs, such as one egg a day can be part of a healthy diet for normal individuals.

Poaching is a healthy cooking method and this recipe uses a low amount of fat. It is a method that does not result in formation of inflammation causing compounds unlike the high temperature cooking methods such as grilling and frying.

I have also added in some leeks which are an excellent source of vitamin K. Like the other allium vegetables (onions and garlic), leeks are a rich source of cardio protective and cancer-preventive flavonoids and sulfur containing nutrients. I have discussed about tomatoes in my post about Kofta Kebab Masala.

More Tomato Based Recipes

• Tomato Curry (Hyderabadi Tamatar Ka Kut)
• Zucchini Stew with Chicken (Persian Khoresh Kadoo)
• Chicken Tomato Stew

More Egg Recipes

• Zucchini Frittata (Persian Kuku Kadoo)
• Egg in Mushroom (Spinach Stuffed Mushroom)
• Egg Curry (Restaurant Style)
• Persian Eggplant Dip (Mirza Ghasemi)

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5 from 4 votes

Moroccan Eggs in Tomato Sauce (Shakshuka)

Moroccan eggs in tomato sauce is a healthy comfort dish that is easy to prepare. It is a tasty option for brunch or any other meal of the day.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time45 minutes mins

1x2x3x

Print SaveSaved!

Course :Breakfast

Cuisine :Moroccan

Servings: 3 servings

Calories: 138kcal

Author: Roxana Begum, PhD, RD

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ ¼ cup leeks or red onion, chopped
• ▢ 1 clove garlic grated
• ▢ 1.5 tablespoons tomato paste low sodium
• ▢ 1 ¼ cup tomatoes chopped, cherry or grape variety
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground cumin ground
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ▢ 1 teaspoon paprika
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
• ▢ Pinch of sugar optional
• ▢ 3 eggs large
• ▢ 1 tablespoon cilantro or parsley, chopped

US Customary - Metric

Equipment

• ▢
  Frying Pan
• ▢
  Moroccan Tagine

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Instructions

• The instructions below are for either cooking with a Tagine (Moroccan earthern pot) or a regular frying pan.
  
• Take a tagine and put the olive oil, chopped leeks, grated garlic and about one fourth cup water and place it on a heat diffuser set over a stove and cook over medium to low medium heat for about 10 to 15 minutes.
  
  
• If using a frying pan, heat olive oil and sauté the chopped leeks or red onion, grated garlic and about one fourth cup water and let is simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes.
  
• Add the tomato paste, chopped tomatoes, spices, salt, pepper, sugar and let it simmer for additional 5 to 10 minutes.
  
  
• Adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding 1-2 tablespoons water as needed, until it is like thick pasta sauce.
  
  
• When simmering make sure to place the tagine top or lid as applicable.
  
• Crack the eggs into the sauce. Cover the dish with the tagine top or lid and poach the eggs for about 5 to 6 minutes until the eggs are well set.
  
  
• Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley.
  
• Transfer the dish to a dry wooden surface.
  
• If using a tagine to prepare this dish, remember that the heat from the hot tagine (earthern pot) will continue to cook the eggs even after removing the dish from the stove, so you may turn off the stove and transfer the dish before it reaches your preferred final consistency for the eggs. Let it rest for 3-5 minutes and it will be as you desired.
  
• Serve these Moroccan eggs in tomato sauce with toasted bread of your choice. I prefer thick Mediterranean style flat breads.
  

Notes

Moroccan Tagine is available online or at some middle eastern or Mediterranean stores.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 327mg | Potassium: 404mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1633IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?I would love to know about it. Tag me @thedeliciouscrescent.