Hello food lovers!
Today, I’m excited to whisk you away to the aromatic markets of the Middle East with a dish that brings warmth, flavor, and a delightful touch of exotic spices to your table—Za’atar-Spiced Shakshuka with a Creamy Tahini Drizzle! As a busy dad of four, I love recipes that provide a hearty, delicious meal and are a feast for the senses. This shakshuka does just that.
It seems like just yesterday when I first stumbled upon shakshuka during a particularly experimental phase of cooking. I remember the fragrant aroma of spices filling my kitchen, mingling with the comforting scent of tomatoes and onions. It’s a journey to make it, a dish that feels both grounding and elevating in its simplicity and depth of flavor. There’s nothing quite like using a wooden spoon to create small wells in the tomato base and nestling eggs into them, watching them poach gently over time.
The star of this dish is undeniably the za’atar. This Middle Eastern staple is a magical blend—its unique mix of dried thyme, sesame seeds, and sumac adds such incredible depth. It’s this secret ingredient that makes the shakshuka zesty and savory, elevating it from a simple brunch choice to a rich conversation starter.
Pairing it with a creamy tahini drizzle truly brings this dish into its own. Tahini, with its nutty depth, mingles perfectly with lemon juice to create a sauce that sings when drizzled across the warm shakshuka. Don’t skimp on this step—it marries everything together beautifully!
This dish is also quite the crowd-pleaser with the kids. With four young, vigorous critics at the dining table, it’s reassuring to see even the pickiest indulging in dipping warm, toasty pita into those yolks. It’s not only comforting food but nourishing and flavorsome too.
Shakshuka is versatile enough for breakfast, brunch, or dinner. On weekends, it becomes a family brunch staple while we recount stories from the week and plan little adventures for the weekend. And trust me, it goes fantastically with a side of laughter and a good strong cup of coffee or tea.
A dish that promises a hearty hug with every bite, this za’atar shakshuka is soon to be a regular at your table. Here’s to many more delicious adventures in our home kitchens. Until next time, happy cooking!
Ingredients
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 large onion, finely chopped
– 1 red bell pepper, diced
– 3 garlic cloves, minced
– 2 teaspoons ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1 tablespoon za’atar seasoning
– 400g can of chopped tomatoes
– 2 tablespoons tomato paste
– 1 teaspoon sugar
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 6 large eggs
– 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
– 2 tablespoons fresh coriander, chopped
– 4 tablespoons tahini
– 2 tablespoons lemon juice
– 2 tablespoons water
– Pita bread, for serving
Method
1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until softened.
2. Stir in the diced red bell pepper and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the peppers are softened.
3. Add the minced garlic, ground cumin, paprika, and za’atar seasoning to the skillet. Cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes until the spices are fragrant.
4. Pour in the chopped tomatoes and add the tomato paste, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine the ingredients.
5. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
6. Using a spoon, create six small wells in the tomato mixture. Crack one egg into each well.
7. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and allow the eggs to cook for 7-10 minutes, or until the egg whites are set but the yolks remain runny.
8. While the eggs are cooking, prepare the tahini drizzle by mixing the tahini, lemon juice, and water in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more water if needed.
9. Once the eggs are cooked to your liking, remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the chopped parsley and coriander over the top for garnish.
10. Drizzle the prepared tahini sauce over the shakshuka before serving.
11. Serve hot with warm pita bread. Enjoy!
