There is nothing like bringing a taste of your travels back home. Last December, I had the opportunity to visit Israel and tasted a Mediterranean breakfast dish called Shakshuka. It was an egg dish that satiated my appetite with unusual exotic spices blended into a rich sauce enveloped by fried eggs.

About a month later, we made our annual pilgrimage to the San Francisco Fancy Food Show. Thousands of visitors come to the show to meet with the movers and shakers of trendsetting products. ENTUBE and Gaea are 2 businesses that caught our eye and intrigued our palate. ENTUBE packages their spice blends into a paste that fits into a tube, and Gaea, is a Greek Olive Oil company steeped with family tradition. Savor the flavors of Shakshuka, a Middle Eastern dish that will satisfy your appetite!

Shakshuka Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 TB of Gaea Fresh Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 3 small or 2 large shallots minced
• 1 medium orange or red pepper chopped into small pieces
• 1 large can or carton (26.5 oz) of diced tomatoes
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ TB of ENTUBE Harissa
• ¼  tsp of cumin
• ¼  tsp of smoked paprika
• ¼  tsp of salt
• Fresh cracked pepper
• 4 eggs
• Cilantro or parsley leaves

Directions

1. Heat frying pan on medium-high for 30 seconds then add minced shallots to frying pan. Sauté and stir on medium-high, then lower to medium and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden. Add minced garlic to pan for about a minute on medium-low and stir.
2. Add chopped orange or red pepper into the pan for 3-4 minutes at medium-high and lower heat as it starts to sizzle.
3. Add tomatoes, bay leaf, Harissa, paprika, cumin, sea salt, and ground pepper to the pan. Continue to stir as sauce simmers until it reduces in volume for about 8-10 minutes.
4. Remove bay leaf. Make a well (hole) in the sauce to create a space for each egg. Crack an egg into each well. Cover pan and cook for additional 4-5 minutes on medium or medium-low until you get the desired egg consistency you like.
5. Turn off burner, then sprinkle with cilantro or Italian parsley leaves.
6. Optional:  add a small handful of arugula over Shakshuka.
7. Serve immediately.

Shakshuka will shake up your morning breakfast routine for an Eggceptional Middle Eastern meal.

Recipe & Blog by Ariel;  Edited by Debbie