Shakshuka: Eggs simmered in a rich tomato sauce

Shashuka is a traditional dish, popular in North Africa and the Middle East. And its cousin, Eggs in Purgatory, is similar but in a Southern Italian style. Both use similar bases with slight differences — but here's how we make it.

Shakshuka uses warm, earthy spices like cumin, coriander, cayenne and paprika, and often includes bell peppers. Eggs in Purgatory relies on Mediterranean herbs like basil and oregano, with garlic and red pepper flakes for heat. We combine a few elements from each in this recipe.

It's cozy and warm, hearty but still somehow light, minimal effort and you don't need a ton of ingredients. When I make it for my little sister, she calls it pizza eggs, which definitely has a less stylish feel to the name, but it gives you an idea of what you're getting into: eggy, tomato, cheese goodness.

A spin on shakshuka

Serves: 1-2
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 5 eggs
• A can of diced tomatoes
• 1 onion
• 1 shallot
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 teaspoon each: salt, white pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 5 leaves of fresh basil
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/2 cup of a cheese of your choice (mozzarella, parmesan, feta are all great options)
• Olive oil
• 10 slices of bakery sourdough bread
• A few knobs of butter

Directions

1. Cook your vegetable base: Chop the onion, garlic and shallot into small pieces. Throw them in a dish with some olive oil on medium-low heat and cook until soft and slightly browned. Add in your tomato paste.
2. Add your tomatoes: Pour in your canned tomatoes. Add in 1 teaspoon each of the spices (salt, white pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes). Feel free to add additional spicces to your taste. Cut up your basil leaves with a pair of cooking scissors and stir in. Add in 1/2 cup of water, which will eventually cook down.
3. Put in the eggs: Crack your five eggs directly into the sauce, cover and let simmer. Grate or sprinkle your cheese on top — start with 1/2 a cup, but you can add more if that's your thing.
4. Prepare your bread: Toast your bread and butter it.
5. Serve: Dip your toast into the sauce, scoop up some eggs and enjoy!