Chorizo Shakshuka

Shakshuka is a spicy tomato and poached egg dish that originated in Tunisia and has spread to many Middle Eastern and North African countries. Luckily, it has made its way to plenty of other parts of the world. A sauce that's a delicious combination of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spices is the base for the eggs, which are cooked to perfection until creamy. Our delicious version takes a spicy twist with the addition of chorizo, Cotija cheese, and cilantro. Easy to make, shakshuka is the perfect one-skillet dish that's easy on your pocket, feeds many, and is easy to clean. A great family-style brunch dish served with crusty bread to scoop up the sauce and egg yolks, you can serve this dish for lunch or dinner alongside a fresh salad.

Many variations on the originally vegetarian dish use ground beef or pork as an addition, but the tomato base is always there. In some recipes, some spices or fresh herbs are added or subtracted depending on the local traditions. Famous in Israel, Palestine, and Egypt alike, shakshuka is a great alternative for putting to good use either canned tomatoes or fresh summer tomatoes.

If you're into spicy food, use spicy chorizo and add harissa paste to taste to the tomato sauce. Alternatively, serve the dish with hot sauce for guests to season it to taste. Shakshuka makes a great addition to a mezze table, as it pairs excellently with hummus, falafel, and stuffed grape leaves.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 medium onion, diced

1/2 pound chorizo, or any other sausage

1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, or 14 ounces diced fresh tomatoes

1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Optional: 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

4 large eggs

1/4 cup crumbled Cotija cheese, or queso fresco

1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped