Shakshukat Beed Iskandarani Recipes

SHAKSHUKA

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a medium ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the cilantro stems, garlic, cumin, paprika and red pepper flakes; season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is softened and the vegetables are coated with the spices, about 1 minute.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Stir the tomatoes with their juices into the skillet. Reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens slightly, about 20 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
• Use the back of a spoon to make 4 wells in the sauce, 1 to 2 inches apart. Crack an egg into each well. Run the edge of a rubber spatula through the egg whites to break them slightly, being careful not to break the yolks (this allows the egg whites to cook faster). Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the egg whites are just set, 15 to 18 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and top with the cilantro leaves. Serve with pita bread.

LAMB OR BEEF SHAKSHUKA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 F.
• Gather your ingredients.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add EVOO to the pan, 2 turns of the pan. Add ground meat, crumble and cook until the pink color goes away and meat is lightly browned.
• Peel and chop onion, seed and finely chop the peppers and chop or slice the garlic. Add onions and peppers to the meat and stir to soften a few minutes. Add seeds, spices and garlic; stir.
• Puree in food processor a can of chipotle in adobo. Add 2 tablespoons to pan and the rest to a bag to freeze and store for another use.
• Add tomatoes, honey if using, feta and stir. Make 4 to 6 nests in meat sauce using the back of a wooden spoon and drop eggs into them. Transfer pan to oven for 8 to 10 minutes till eggs set.
• For naan, heat a griddle over high heat. Scatter a little water onto skillet and griddle the bread to blister, then flip. Brush bread with melted butter and cut into pieces/wide strips.
• Garnish eggs with dollops of yogurt if using, cilantro leaves and scallions.