Shakshuka Bowl (Printable)

Poached eggs in spiced tomato sauce with peppers, served with warm pita bread.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
02 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
03 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 2 cups baby spinach
06 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped

→ Sauce

07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 1 teaspoon paprika
10 - ½ teaspoon ground coriander
11 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
12 - 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
13 - 1 teaspoon sugar
14 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Eggs and Garnish

15 - 4 to 6 large eggs
16 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
17 - ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

→ To Serve

18 - 4 pita breads, warmed

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add diced red and yellow bell peppers along with jalapeño if using. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender.
03 - Stir in minced garlic, ground cumin, paprika, ground coriander, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Pour in crushed tomatoes and add sugar, salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens.
05 - Add baby spinach and cook until wilted, approximately 2 minutes.
06 - Make small indentations in the sauce using the back of a spoon and crack eggs into each well.
07 - Cover the skillet and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until egg whites are set but yolks remain runny.
08 - Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley and crumbled feta cheese.
09 - Transfer to serving bowls and serve immediately with warm pita bread for dipping.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Those runny egg yolks become an instant sauce the moment your bread touches them, and honestly it's pure magic.
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, so cleanup feels almost reasonable on a weeknight.
  • The spice blend is warm and welcoming rather than aggressive, building flavor without any harsh edges.
02 -
  • The yolk doneness is crucial because once you cut into it, the whole dynamic changes—those runny yolks are your sauce, so don't overcook them or everything becomes dry.
  • The tomato sauce absolutely needs that ten to twelve minutes of simmering because it thickens and concentrates in flavor, transforming from watery to luxurious.
03 -
  • Don't skip the one minute of spice blooming in oil because that's where the difference between flat and vibrant flavors lives.
  • If you want runny yolks, start checking at six minutes because some skillets run hotter than others and you want to catch them at the perfect moment.
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