641.Shakshuka

Where Are The Yolks????
Mondays come too fast. Imagine we’re already into the 5th month of the year. Time flies. The 91st theme for #FoodieMonday #Bloghop group was decided by fellow member and blogger Nisa. She asked us to prepare something that will not take more than 20 minutes. With #20minrecipes as the theme, I thought smoothies, salads, energy balls. All these barely take 5-10 minutes. It probably takes longer to gather up the ingredients. I thought one more salad and my group would say ‘oh no not another salad,’. Smoothies ??? No its a bit cold to have them. Did I mention its finally raining? Energy balls… I swear I had some medjool dates but can’t find them in the overstuffed fridge. In Mombasa our fridge is the pantry. We have to put everything from spices, flours to lentils to nuts in the fridge as the hot humid climate spoils these ingredients within weeks.
I decided to make Shakshuka (pronounced as shakh-shoo-kah). It doesn’t take much time. It took me 5 minutes to chop the vegetables and then 15 minutes to cook and voila! had a filling, healthy, delicious brunch ready for hubby and me. It is said that originally the dish is from North Africa, more specifically Tunisia. However, its become a popular Middle Eastern dish. Shakshuka is traditionally made with eggs poached in a spice filled tomato and green pepper stew.
Nowadays there are so many variations. Since hubby is allergic to bell peppers, I omit them. However, whenever I make this popular dish at home, the veggies that go into it vary. Sometimes I like to give it a Mexican taste by adding cooked corn and kidney beans along with some taco seasoning, or go the Indian way with garam masala and veggies like peas, carrots, green beans and add in cubes of paneer.
For today’s post I decided to use mushrooms and spinach. Before you scroll down to the recipe, here is a list of things you could add to the shakshuka to make it into a filling brunch, lunch or dinner. Potatoes, corn, beans, feta cheese, chickpeas, olives, kale, mushrooms, spinach, sausages, bacon, zucchini, eggplants,bell peppers etc.
I usually have cooked corn, beans and chickpeas ready in the fridge to add to salads, stew, curry etc. I make my weekly quota of fresh tomato puree.I cut the tomatoes into half, put them in a pan covered over low heat. The tomatoes begin to wilt and the juice comes out. I let it cook for 10 minutes. Remove the excess water/juice and puree the tomatoes to be used for curries, pasta, dals, vegetables…anything that needs fresh tomatoes. I use up the juice/water in lentil stew(dals) or soups.
SHAKSHUKA
Serves 2
4 eggs
2 medium tomatoes
I medium onion
½ cup thick fresh tomato puree
2 handfuls of spinach (chopped is about 1½ cups)
125 g mushrooms or about 1 cup
3-4 cloves garlic
1 tsp coriander powder
½ tsp cumin powder
½ tsp coarse pepper powder
½ – 1 tsp red chilli powder
½ tsp paprika powder
1-1½ tsp salt
a pinch of sugar
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander (or flat parsley)
- Dice the onion, tomatoes.
- Slice the mushrooms after wiping them with a wet cloth.
- Peel and slice the garlic cloves.
- Chop the spinach.
- Heat oil in a skillet or wide frying pan over medium heat.
- Add onions and garlic and stir fry them till the chopped onion becomes translucent.
- Add tomatoes and mushrooms. Stir fry for 1 minute.
- Add the tomato puree, salt, sugar, and all the spice powders.
- Mix well and cook the stew for 2-3 minutes.
- Make 4 wells in the gravy.
- Crack an egg into each ‘well’.
- Cover the pan and let the shakshuka cook for 10-12 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped coriander.
- Serve immediately with pita bread, normal bread slices or with a salad.
- If you want to add pepper, any colour, chop 1 medium sized one and add it to the pan along with the onions.
- I did not make the wells properly so as a result the yolk got covered by the egg white.
- If you are adding any cheese, add it after the eggs are cooked.
- Add spices, veggies of your choice.
![]() |
Khamiri Green peas Puri |
![]() |
Spinach stuffed tomatoes |
![]() |
Arbi ke paranthe |

9 Comments
Nisa@flavour diary
May 8, 2017 at 4:21 pm
Beautiful tempting shakshuka share dee… I don't add any veggies or beans except onions n tomatoes in this style of curry…this time I will add some veggies n see how family reacts…lovely share dee
https://flavour-diary.blogspot.com/2017/05/semiya-upma-vermicelli-upma-recipe-no.html
alkajena
May 8, 2017 at 4:50 pm
This is one of our favorite Sunday Breakfast dish, I love it as it is fulfilling and can be made very quick.http://www.culinaryxpress.com/burritos
Mayuri Patel
May 8, 2017 at 5:20 pm
Thanks Nisa. I'm sure the family with love it if you add their favourite veggies or meat also. Its like a wholesome meal.
Mayuri Patel
May 8, 2017 at 5:20 pm
Alka, my hubby too loves it. Its become a like a regular meal for us.
Rupal Patel
May 8, 2017 at 8:25 pm
I bookmarked it for my Mother's Day brunch menu… thanks for such a fabulous recipe….
http://goodfoodgoodmoodbyrupal.blogspot.com/2017/05/crackers-mexican-pizzas.html?m=1
Sujata Roy
May 9, 2017 at 7:53 am
Shakshuka looks tempting Mayuri. Its my and my son's favourite egg dish. But never add veggies. Next time will try with veggies 😊
https://batterupwithsujata.wordpress.com/2017/05/07/gazpacho-or-cold-soup/
Pushpita Aheibam
May 9, 2017 at 8:10 am
Loved the addition of the colourful veggies in the Shakshuka. Perfect, quick brunch recipe idea.
https://pushpitaschakhum.wordpress.com/2017/05/08/thai-chicken-rice/
Saswati Hota
May 11, 2017 at 11:19 am
Eggs are my favorite and this is such an amazing way of making eggs..love middle eastern food.
http://www.delishpotpourri.com/easy-quick-breakfast-burritos
Preethi Prasad
May 13, 2017 at 10:16 am
Love eggs in any form.Looks Delish!!
https://preethicuisine.com/2017/05/08/thai-red-curry-bee-hoon-soup/