Shakshuka (North African–Style Poached Eggs in Spicy Tomato Sauce)

Ingredients

3tablespoons (45ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1medium onion, thinly sliced
1large red pepper (bell pepper for milder heat, or a hotter variety, such as red horned pepper, depending on your heat preference), stems, seeds, and ribs removed, thinly sliced
1fresh small hot chile (such as jalapeño, serrano, or Fresno), stems, seeds, and ribs removed, thinly sliced
2 to 3cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 1/2tablespoons (15g) sweet Hungarian or smoked Spanish paprika
2teaspoons (8g) whole or ground cumin seeds
1(28-ounce; 800g) can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by squeezing between your fingers or with a pastry blender (see note)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Large handful minced cilantro, parsley, or a mix
6eggs
Sliced oil-cured black olives, feta cheese, and/or artichoke hearts, for serving (all optional)
Crusty bread, for serving

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or straight-sided sauté pan over high heat until shimmering. Add onion, red pepper, and chile and spread into an even layer. Cook, without moving, until vegetables on the bottom are deeply browned and beginning to char in spots, about 6 minutes. Stir and repeat. Continue to cook until vegetables are fully softened and spottily charred, about another 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until softened and fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add paprika and cumin and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Immediately add tomatoes and stir to combine (see notes). Reduce heat to a bare simmer and simmer for 10 minutes, then season to taste with salt and pepper and stir in half of cilantro or parsley.

Using a large spoon, make a well near the perimeter of the pan and break an egg directly into it. Spoon a little sauce over edges of egg white to partially submerge and contain it, leaving yolk exposed. Repeat with remaining 5 eggs, working around pan as you go. Season eggs with a little salt, cover, reduce heat to lowest setting, and cook until egg whites are barely set and yolks are still runny, 5 to 8 minutes.

Sprinkle with remaining cilantro or parsley, along with any of the optional toppings. Serve immediately with crusty bread.

Notes

To crush the tomatoes, transfer to a large bowl and squeeze through your fingers to create a chunky purée. Alternatively, leave whole, add to the pan, and use a pastry blender to cut the tomatoes directly in the pan.

Nutrition

Info: (per serving)317 Calories 16g Fat 33g Carbs 13g ProteinNutrition FactsServings: 4 to 6Amount per servingCalories 317% Daily Value*Total Fat 16g 20%Saturated Fat 3g 16%Cholesterol 186mg 62%Sodium 695mg 30%Total Carbohydrate 33g 12%Dietary Fiber 5g 18%Total Sugars 8gProtein 13gVitamin C 85mg 426%Calcium 116mg 9%Iron 4mg 25%Potassium 535mg 11%*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.