Modern Shakshuka with Feta and Harissa
Why this recipe works
- Layered savoury base: Softened onion, red pepper, cumin, garlic and harissa build a warm, aromatic sauce before the tomatoes are added.
- Creamy, salty finish: Feta softens into the hot sauce, adding richness and a bright salty contrast to the sweet peppers and tomatoes.
- One-pan cooking: The sauce and eggs cook in the same frying pan, making the recipe simple to manage and easy to serve straight to the table.
Get the most out of this recipe
Adjust the heat
- For gentler warmth: Use less harissa or swap it for smoked paprika and a little extra seasoning, as suggested in the recipe substitutions.
- For more heat: Choose a hotter harissa or add a little more to the tomato base, tasting the sauce before the eggs go in.
- Keep the heat rounded: Feta and warm pita help soften the chilli heat, so avoid making the sauce aggressively spicy before serving.
Timing notes
- Serve as soon as the eggs are ready: Shakshuka is best when the whites are just set and the yolks are still soft, so bring it to the table promptly.
- The sauce takes most of the time: Allow the tomato base to thicken properly before adding the eggs; it should be substantial enough to hold shallow wells.
- Best freshly finished: The sauce can be made ahead, but the eggs should be cooked just before serving for the best texture.
Make-ahead tips
- Make the sauce in advance: Cook and cool the tomato-pepper sauce, then refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat before adding eggs: Warm the sauce gently in a frying pan until bubbling, then make the wells and crack in fresh eggs.
- Avoid reheating cooked eggs: Cooked eggs can become rubbery when reheated, so finish the shakshuka with fresh eggs each time.
Ingredient notes
- Harissa varies by brand: Some harissa pastes are mild and aromatic, while others are much hotter, so taste yours before adjusting the quantity.
- Use good canned tomatoes: Because the sauce is tomato-led, well-flavoured canned chopped tomatoes give a fuller, less watery base.
- Season with the feta in mind: Feta adds noticeable saltiness at the end, so keep the sauce well seasoned but not overly salty before it goes in.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Finely chop the onion and deseed and chop the red pepper.
- Add the onion and red pepper to the pan with the salt and pepper. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring, until softened and lightly sweet.
- Stir in the cumin and crush in the garlic, then cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the harissa and stir to coat the vegetables.
- Tip in the tomatoes and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens enough to hold a spoon trail.
- Use the back of a spoon to make 4 wells in the sauce, then crack an egg into each. Cover and cook on a low heat for 6 to 8 minutes, until the whites are set and the yolks are still soft.
- Crumble over the feta and let it warm through for 1 minute. Warm the pita bread, then serve straight from the pan with the flatbreads for dipping.
Recipe notes
Serving suggestions
This recipe pairs well with:
Tips
- Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer before adding the eggs; if it is boiling hard, the whites can turn tough before the yolks warm through.
- For softer-set eggs, take the pan off the heat when the whites are just set and leave it covered for 2 minutes to finish gently.
- If serving anyone who is pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, cook the eggs until both whites and yolks are fully set.
Substitutions
- Replace Harissa with 0.5 tsp Smoked paprika plus an extra pinch of Fine sea salt for a milder warmth.
- Replace Feta cheese with Goat cheese for a creamier, slightly sharper finish.
- Replace Pita bread with Naan bread for a softer, more pillowy dipper.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Cool, then refrigerate the sauce in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat the sauce in a frying pan over a low heat until bubbling, then crack in fresh eggs and cook until set; cooked eggs do not reheat well.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 40min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
-
Allergens:
Eggs Gluten Milk Wheat
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