Algerian Poached Eggs (Chakchouka)

Submitted by ncmysteryshopper

"These eggs are poached in a delicious in a pepper ragout. This dish, with many variations, is a popular breakfast in North Africa, especially in Algeria and Tunisia. Most recipes include the eggs, but they can actually be left out as well for Vegetarians that do not eat eggs. VARIATION: Sometimes fresh shrimp or a spicy lamb sausage called merguez is added to the simmering peppers along with the eggs."

 

• Ready In: 30mins
• Ingredients: 19
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cumin seed
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon harissa, for a spicier, deeper flavor (optional)
• 2 -3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced (can use good quality organic canned diced tomatoes)
• 1 potato, small diced cubes
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced, if not using add more red and green bell pepper (optional)
• 1 -2 chili pepper, for those that like heat (optional)
• 1 cup water
• kosher salt
• fresh ground pepper
• 4 eggs
• parsley or cilantro, chopped
• black olives (optional)
• capers (optional)

directions

1. In a deep skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add cumin seed to the hot oil for about 15 seconds before you add the paprika. Stir in paprika and let cook slightly to color the oil, about 10-15 seconds.
2. Add the onions and garlic (add optional harissa here) and sauté until onions are translucent and wilted but not browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes and bring to a rapid simmer. Add peppers (also add seeded and diced chili peppers here if using) & potatoes, water and salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes. Add more water as needed.
4. Form four small indentations in the simmering peppers to hold the eggs. Crack eggs, one by one, into a small bowl and slide each egg into an indentation. Cover and simmer another 10 minutes or so until eggs are cooked through.
5. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or cilantro and optional black olives and capers.
6. Serve with crusty bread or rice.

Reviews

[justcallmetoni]

When you take four of my favorite ingredients (eggs, peppers, onions and cumin) and combine them what's not to love. I did not add chili peppers to mine as the Tunisian harissa I purchased in Fez provided sufficient heat. Watch the eggs carefully as they remain soft for a bit then quickly go hard. Some crusty bread, a salad and some extra harissa and this was a suppertime nirvana.

 

[COOKGIRl]

I made this about a week in a half ago and now have to remember what I did... Spanish smoked paprika replaced part of standard paprika. The potatoes were added at the same time as onions. The bells (not green however) were added the last 10 minutes of cooking time. I garnished the eggs with all those garnished suggested. Yum! Served with freshly steamed asparagus and green beans, Recipe #366129, crusty bread and Recipe #185756 Delicious meal! Thank you, NcMS!

 

[Leggy Peggy]

Truly wonderful dish with a fabulous combination of flavours. I made pretty much as written, but left the lid off for a bit to let some of the liquid cook down. Also followed the suggestion to shorten the cooking time for the eggs. I didn't have harissa on hand, but used two long green chillies. Sprinkled with a mix of parsley and coriander (cilantro), and was rather heavy-handed with my beloved capers. Yum, yum! Thanks for posting.

 

[Debbwl]

We enjoyed starting our day with such a healthy and tasty way. Did head the warning about the egg yolks getting over cooked so only let my eggs cook for 3-4 minutes and am so glad I did as we all tasted before we broke our yolks and thought the runny yolk add such a nice layer of flavor. I made as written using harissa, 1 red chili pepper and cilantro. Thanks for the post.

 

[UmmBinat]

Really good. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I used canola oil as my olive oil is extra virgin and unrefined so it would have burnt. I used ground cumin out of preference, sweet paprika, sweet onion, no optionals, although we had black olives on the side with breakfast but I wouldn't put the two together. I used a good quality canned tomatoes, peeled the potato, sea salt, cilantro to garnish, plus the rest of the ingredients. Made for Welcome to Algeria!