Cyclops Shakshuka Focaccias Recipes

CYCLOPS SHAKSHUKA FOCACCIAS

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
• To form the Focaccia Dough, press your middle three fingers in the center of each dough ball, stretching and pressing outwards until you have a 5- to 6-inch round with a flat center and 1/2 inch or so of border. The dough should be a bowl for the sauce and egg. Drizzle each with olive oil and massage the oil into the dough.
• Spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of the Sauce into the center cavity of each round (making sure to get the sausage pieces), then crack an egg in the center of each. Bake until the dough is lightly golden and the egg is just set but still a little jiggly, 12 to 14 minutes.
• Drizzle the focaccias with olive oil and season the eggs with a crack of black pepper and a sprinkle of flake salt. Top with cilantro, parsley and crumbled feta.
• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and grease each with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the flour, yeast and kosher salt and whisk to combine. Add the water and remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil and mix with the dough hook until a dough forms, scraping down the sides as needed. Knead on medium speed for 12 to 15 minutes.
• Lightly flour a work surface. Scrape the dough out onto the floured surface and form into 8 equal-sized balls. Place 4 dough balls onto each prepared baking sheet and then drizzle oil onto each dough ball. Cover each with a towel and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add the breakfast sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Season with the kosher salt, red pepper flakes, paprika, cumin, coriander, black pepper and cinnamon. Cook until the meat is browned and the spices are toasted, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the tomato sauce and peppers and stir to combine. Add the honey and stir to thoroughly incorporate. Cook the sauce, uncovered, for 5 to 8 minutes until thickened. Season to taste. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

CAJUN SHAKSHUKA

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
• Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Cook the sausage, stirring often, until the fat is rendered and the pieces are starting to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the sausage and discard all but 1 tablespoon of the fat.
• Add the butter to the skillet. Once it melts, swirl the fat and butter together. Add the onions, peppers, celery and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 15 minutes.
• Smear the tomato paste onto the skillet and cook, stirring, to caramelize the tomato paste and enhance its flavor, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and their juices. Stir in the Cajun seasoning, paprika and cumin and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Return the sausage to the skillet. Bring to a simmer, then cook on low until the sauce thickens, an additional 5 minutes.
• Burrow 4 little nests in the sauce, and then crack an egg into each. Transfer the dish to the oven, taking care to keep each egg in its little nest, and bake until the egg whites are set and the yolks are soft and gooey, about 10 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and serve over creamy Cheddar grits or toast.

MINI KALE SHAKSHUKA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium cast-iron cocotte, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and paprika and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the kale in 2 or 3 batches, allowing it to wilt slightly between batches so it all fits in the pot. Add a good pinch of salt and cook, stirring often, until the kale is softened, 7 to 9 minutes.
• Stir in the stock and cook until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes more. Add the cheese, a few turns of black pepper, a pinch of red pepper flakes and the lemon juice. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.
• Distribute the kale mixture among 6 mini cast-iron cocottes and create a well in the center of each. Crack an egg into each well. Bake, uncovered, until the whites are cooked but the yolks are still runny; check for doneness at 12 minutes.
• Top each cocotte with a drizzle of yogurt and a sprinkle of za'atar, parsley, salt and pepper. Serve immediately with crusty bread.