Shakshuka!

Shakshuka!!! In my kids' world, it may well be the battlecry of the squad of teeny but brave Toy Story soldiers, on the offensive! 🤯  "Oorah!"

This time, Alexa tells me that it is derived from an Arabic word meaning "a mixture" or "shaken". Hmm. Fascinating. The "Shake Shack" is how I might loosely translate it 😜, mind map style.

This is a dish hailing all the way from North Africa / Middle East. Its recipe popped up in my YouTube feed months ago. And since then, I've whipped it up in our kitchen maybe 5 times already.  Consistently, it got good reviews from the hungry mouths here in our home :).

Personally, I like this dish because
(1) it is really easy to make,
(2) poached eggs in tomato-ey sauce, hello! what's not to like there, and,
(3) the flavor profile is just so interesting and so unlike the usual fare that my family has.

So here you go...hope each soulful spoonful takes you, as it has taken my precious 5, beyond the pandemic-locked borders to a 1-of-a-kind trip to the vast and mysterious lands of Afrika/Arabia.

Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 carrot, minced
1 onion large, diced
2 tomato, diced
1/4 cauliflower, diced
options: mushroom, bellpepper, broccoli, jalapeno

Spices:
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp ground pepper
3 cups tomato sauce
1/2 to 1 cup stock (chicken/beef)
eggs for poaching (tip: 1 each as a snack, 2 each as a meal)

Toppings: grated/crumbled feta cheese, fresh parsley
Sidings: toasted bread or crackers

Tools: 
Use a large deep pan with cover.

Steps:
In olive oil, saute onion, with a pinch of salt. (low to medium heat)
Add the other veggies and saute til almost tender.
Add the spices and saute for a couple minutes more for a flavor meet n greet.
Add and mix the sauce and stock.
Do a taste test, add spices/stock to taste.
Set the eggs gently into the mixture.
     Crack the egg one at a time in a separate bowl.
     Pour gently clockwise into the mixture.
          (⏰ or whatever pattern helps you remember which egg cooks first)
     Cover the pan.
Let simmer for 10-15 minutes. (low heat)
          (how long depends on your preference on how runny or set the poached eggs will be).
Transfer to serving bowl.
Add toppings.
Pair with sidings.

Enjoy! 😛

Here it is, just right-o on a chilly rainy day.🌦🌧🌦

Shakshukaaaaaaa! 

Learned from: Chef John @ Food Wishes