Shakshuka Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes | Aline Made (2024)

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Poached eggs in a tomato sauce with beautiful flavors and a handful of fresh herbs – that’s Shakshuka! Serve it with fresh bread, and you have a wonderful one-pot meal!

Shakshuka Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes | Aline Made (1)

Shakshuka Origin

Shakshuka (also spelled shakshouka) is a vegetarian meal born in North Africa, though its origin may go back to the Ottoman Empire.

Today it’s strongly associated with the Middle East and Israel in particular, where Jewish immigrants introduced it. It has become more popular in the western world during the last years and is a signature dish among the Levant kitchen.

What Is Shakshuka?

It’s a very simple dish that is easy to cook with no pitfalls. Shakshuka essentially means “mixed up”, which reflects its casual composition.

Garlic, onion, bell pepper, and fresh tomatoes are cooked among some fresh herbs and spices. Once the sauce has bubbled for a while, wells are formed into the sauce. Raw eggs are cracked directly into them and poached in the sauce. This is the classic version, yet you can vary it greatly!

Some like to top it with crumbled feta, and others prefer a green shakshuka made with green vegetables.

Shakshuka Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes | Aline Made (2)

Shakshuka is typically served for brunch or breakfast and can be eaten straight out of the pan. I love to serve it with one of those homemade crusty bread:

  • Turkish Pide Bread
  • Pita Bread
  • No-Knead Bread

Such an easy recipe that is bursting with flavor and a must-try if you love the Arabic cuisine. The use of fresh mint, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper gives this dish its typical middle eastern taste.

Fresh Tomatoes

Shakshuka with fresh tomatoes is my favorite way to cook it. The tomatoes should be very ripe and, therefore, sweet and juicy.

If you don’t have ripe tomatoes at hand, use canned peeled tomatoes instead.

One last note:As you serve it directly in your pan, it will keep the temperature quite long. Keep in mind that the eggs will still cook a little more once you take them from the heat. Therefore, reduce the cooking time if you love your eggs runny.

Shakshuka Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes | Aline Made (3)

How To Make This Shakshuka Recipe

Read through this visual step-by-step guide with lots of extra tips!

The exact quantities and everything else you need to know for the recipe can be found in the recipe card below.

  • Heat a skillet with olive oil. Add garlic, onion, and bell pepper, sauté for a few minutes until fragrant.
Shakshuka Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes | Aline Made (4)
  • Stir in tomato paste, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, and sugar.
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  • Cook for an additional minute while stirring constantly.
Shakshuka Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes | Aline Made (6)
  • Add diced tomatoes, water, and half of the mint and parsley.
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  • Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Shakshuka Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes | Aline Made (8)
  • Use a spoon to make three wells in the sauce and crack an egg into each well.
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  • Cover and cook for another 5-10 minutes over low to medium heat until the eggs are almost cooked through (or done to your liking).→ Keep in mind that the eggs will still cook a little more once you take the skillet from the heat.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining mint and parsley and serve with fresh bread.
Shakshuka Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes | Aline Made (10)

Recipe FAQ & Tips

How long does it stay fresh?Leftovers can be stored for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.

Fresh Tomatoes:I love to use fresh and ripe tomatoes to make shakshuka. It’s ideal to use up leftover tomatoes, which you wouldn’t want to use for salad anymore.

Canned Tomatoes:Feel free to replace fresh tomatoes with a can of peeled tomatoes. If so, skip the water used in the recipe and reduce the cooking time in step 2 to 10 minutes.

Skillet:I recommend using a 9.5 inch (24cm) skillet to fit 3 eggs.

More Recipes You’ll Love:

  • Fresh Tomato Sauce
  • Hummus
  • French Crepes

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📖 Recipe

Shakshuka Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes | Aline Made (11)

Shakshuka

Poached eggs in a tomato sauce with beautiful flavors and a handful of fresh herbs – that's Shakshuka! Serve it with fresh bread, and you have a wonderful one-pot meal!

Author : Aline Cueni

4.74 from 19 votes

Click on the stars to leave a vote!

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Prep Time :5 minutes mins

Cook Time :30 minutes mins

Total Time :35 minutes mins

Servings : 2 -3

Calories : 242kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 onion minced
  • ½ red bell pepper seeded and diced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp ground paprika
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp sugar
  • 14 oz (400 g) ripe tomatoes chopped OR a 14.5oz can of peeled tomatoes
  • ½ cup (120 ml) water skip if using canned tomatoes
  • ½ bunch fresh mint chopped
  • ½ brunch fresh parsley chopped
  • 3 eggs
  • salt & pepper

Instructions

  • Heat a skillet with olive oil. Add garlic, onion, and bell pepper, sauté for a few minutes until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, and sugar, cook for an additional minute while stirring constantly.

  • Add diced tomatoes, water, and half of the mint and parsley. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

  • Use a spoon to make three wells in the sauce and crack an egg into each well.

  • Cover and cook for another 5-10 minutes over low to medium heat until the eggs are almost cooked through (or done to your liking).→ Keep in mind that the eggs will still cook a little more once you take the skillet from the heat.

  • Sprinkle with the remaining mint and parsley and serve with fresh bread.

Notes

Fresh Tomatoes: I love to use fresh and ripe tomatoes to make shakshuka. It’s ideal to use up leftover tomatoes, which you wouldn’t want to use for salad anymore.

Canned Tomatoes: Feel free to replace fresh tomatoes with a can of peeled tomatoes. If so, skip the water used in the recipe and reduce the cooking time in step 2 to 10 minutes.

Skillet: I recommend using a 9.5 inch (24cm) skillet to fit 3 eggs.

Leftovers can be stored for up to two days in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 242kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 246mg | Sodium: 175mg | Potassium: 808mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 3649IU | Vitamin C: 71mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 3mg

Shakshuka Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes | Aline Made (16)

Aline Cueni

I’m a girl who loves to cook and bake delicious homemade food. Let me help you to incorporate more plant-based foods into everyday life! Vegetarian & vegan recipes can be anything but boring.

Shakshuka Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes | Aline Made (2024)

FAQs

Should you cook tomatoes before blending? ›

Place in a preheated oven for 30-45 minutes, or until the skins have caramelized and browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15-20 minutes. Place tomatoes (skins and all) and any leftover juices in a blender. Puree until smooth.

How do you prepare tomatoes before cooking? ›

They are juicy and have a slightly acidic taste, which makes them a refreshing addition to any dish. To prepare raw tomatoes, wash them thoroughly, remove the stem, and cut them into slices or wedges. You can sprinkle some salt and pepper on them or add a drizzle of olive oil or balsamic vinegar for added flavor.

Can you make shakshuka without bell peppers? ›

While I did add onion, red bell pepper, and garlic to give the sauce a little extra texture and 'oompf,' you can totally make this shakshuka recipe without pepper! Instead of the bell pepper, I would suggest substituting carrot or even potatoes, just know the cook time will be longer if you use potatoes.

Is shakshuka Israeli or Palestinian? ›

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.

Can you leave the skin on tomatoes when making sauce? ›

Yes, you can leave skin on tomatoes when making sauce! Just use a food processor to transform whole tomatoes into sauce. This saves lots of time from having to boil the tomatoes first to loosen the skin enough to peel. We also figure keeping the skins on retains all the vitamins and minerals that the skin contains.

Why do you boil tomatoes before blending? ›

Boiling them makes it possible to take the skins off. Boiling my tomatoes before blending. Boiling them makes it possible to take the skins off.

Can raw tomatoes be cooked? ›

Cooking Can Increase Nutrients

On cooking, these walls break down, releasing lycopene, which reduces cancer and heart disease risk. Cooking tomatoes for fifteen to thirty minutes increases lycopene availability by 160 per cent.

What happens if you don't wash tomatoes before eating? ›

There are two significant risks of not washing fruits and vegetables: pesticides and bacterial contamination. Foods such as tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, and cantaloupe are more prone to containing foodborne bacteria that cause illness. Produce is constantly exposed to external elements that transmit bacteria.

What is traditionally served with shakshuka? ›

Shakshuka is a classic North African and Middle Eastern breakfast dish. This recipe is simple and satisfying, featuring eggs poached in a bell pepper and tomato sauce. Serve it with pita or crusty bread for breakfast or brunch...or dinner!

What's the difference between shakshuka and Menemen? ›

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.

How well does shakshuka keep? ›

In the fridge, shakshuka will last for 3-4 days. Simply store it in an airtight container as soon as it has cooled. As such, you and your family will have plenty of time to enjoy it.

Can you wear jeans in Israel? ›

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.

What's the difference between eggs in purgatory and shakshuka? ›

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.

Which country invented shakshuka? ›

It is believed to have a Tunisian origin. Shakshuka means "a mixture" or “shaken” in Tunisian dialect. Shakshuka is a staple of Tunisian, Libyan, Algerian, and Moroccan cuisines traditionally served up in a cast iron pan with bread to mop up the sauce (most important).

How do you boil fresh tomatoes before blending? ›

Boil Water: Fill a large pot with enough water to cover the tomatoes completely. Place the pot over high heat and bring the water to a rolling boil. Add the Tomatoes: Carefully place the tomatoes into the boiling water. Allow them to cook for approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Can you put tomato in a blender? ›

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.

Do you cook vegetables before blending? ›

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.

Do you have to cook tomatoes before milling? ›

You can cut the cores out of large tomatoes, but it's not really necessary for smaller ones. Place the tomatoes in a big stock pot or dutch oven and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for about 5-10 minutes until the tomatoes are soft. Set up your food mill over a large mixing bowl or a pot.

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