Foolproof Shakshuka

https://cookieandkate.com/foolproof-shakshuka-recipe/
Shakshuka is a popular Middle Eastern dish featuring poached eggs in a hearty tomato and pepper sauce. Recipe yields 4 to 6 servings.

I was going to make this for fathers day brunch, but chocolate chocolate chip pancakes won out.  So we had this for dinner.  This recipe is so easy - chop the onion, pepper and garlic, and the rest is just gathering ingredients.  I prefer coriander to cumin, so I used 1/2 tsp of each.  I added 1/2 can of chickpeas for protein.  And we had loads of mint and basil growing, so I did use parsley in the dish, but topped it with the mint and basil.  All delicious.  The eggs did not stay on top and as separate as a previous try with a stovetop version, but it may have been that I didn't make the wells deep enough.  I was working with a slotted spoon and used that for the wells which may have been the problem.  Next time, no slots! 

Definitely will make this again! 

SCALE

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 1 large red bell pepper or roasted red bell pepper, chopped
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 3 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin (or 1/2 cumin and 1/2 coriander)       
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, reduce if sensitive to spice
• 1 large can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes, preferably fire-roasted 
• 1/2 to 1 can chickpeas, drained
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or flat-leaf parsley, plus addition cilantro or parsley leaves for garnish (or basil and mint for garnish)
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 5 to 6 large eggs
• ½ cup crumbled feta - used less than 1/4 cup, but the added taste was good
• Crusty bread or pita, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm the oil in a large, oven-safe skillet (preferably stainless steel) over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the onion, bell pepper, and salt. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are tender and turning translucent, about 4 to 6 minutes.
2. Add the garlic, tomato paste, cumin, paprika and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring constantly, until nice and fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes with their juices and add the cilantro. Stir, and let the mixture come to a simmer. Add chickpeas, if using.  Reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer, and cook for 5 minutes to give the flavors time to meld.
4. Turn off the heat. Taste (careful, it’s hot), and add salt and pepper as necessary. Use the back of a spoon to make a well near the perimeter and crack the egg directly into it. Gently spoon a bit of the tomato mixture over the whites to help contain the egg. Repeat with the remaining 4 to 5 eggs, depending on how many you can fit. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper over the eggs.
5. Carefully transfer the skillet to the oven (it’s heavy) and bake for 8 to 12 minutes, checking often once you reach 8 minutes. They’re done when the egg whites are an opaque white and the yolks have risen a bit but are still soft. They should still jiggle in the centers when you shimmy the pan. (Keep in mind that they’ll continue cooking after you pull the dish out of the oven.)
6. Using oven mitts (both hands!), transfer the hot skillet to a heat-safe surface like the stove. Top with the crumbled feta, fresh cilantro leaves, and more red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve in bowls with crusty bread on the side.