SHAKSHUKA

 SHAKSHUKA

Shakshuka is a Middle Eastern dish made with poached eggs in a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers, onions... and many spices.

½ tsp cumin seeds

190ml light olive oil or vegetable oil

2 large onions, peeled and sliced

2 red and 2 yellow peppers, cored and cut into 2cm strips

4 tsp muscovado sugar

2 bayleaves

6 sprigs thyme, picked and chopped

2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, chopped

1 bunch fresh coriander, chopped

6 ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped

½ tsp saffron strands

Pinch of cayenne pepper

Salt and pepper

Up to 250ml water

4 free-range eggs

In a large saucepan, dry-roast the cumin on high heat for two minutes. Add the oil and sauté the onions for two minutes. Add the peppers, sugar, bayleaves, thyme, parsley and two tablespoons of coriander, and cook on high heat to get a nice colour. Add the tomatoes, saffron, cayenne, salt and pepper. Cook on low heat for 15 minutes, adding enough water to keep it the consistency of a pasta sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning. It should be potent and flavoursome. You can prepare this mix in advance. Break the eggs into the pan, pouring into gaps in the mixture. Sprinkle with salt, cover and cook very gently for 10-12 minutes, until the egg just sets. Sprinkle with coriander and serve with chunky white bread.