Shakshuka is a very typical Israeli brunch dish, and a really great thing to eat this time of year (or any time, really). It is basically a stew of tomatoes, onions, garlic and spices, with eggs poached into the mix. Then, it is  served with fresh hot pita, or crusty bread. With North African roots, it has great flavours and is very rustic, smple to prepare, and is a total crowd pleaser. Here is how you make it. 

Joel Style Shakshuka - Serves 6

1 cooking onion

1 head of garlic

6-8 medium tomatoes

6 large eggs

2 sausages (optional)

Olive oil (I used a combo of chili and regular)

Red wine

Cumin

Turmeric

Ancho chili powder (or, you can use a couple of fresh chilis and cook them with the onion)

Salt ( I used smoked)

Pepper

Grated parmesan

Green garnish such as parsley, or chopped garlic scapes

Crusty loaf, like ciabatta

I used a potato masher to make sure the tomatoes had the consistency I was looking for

1. Over medium high heat, in the largest pan you have, cook finely chopped onion in olive oil until soft, about 6-8 minutes

2. Season with salt

3. Add finely minced garlic, and cook for another 2-3 minutes

4. In a separate pan cook the sausage that you have removed from the casing, and add to the onions

5. Reduce to medium and add the chopped tomatoes, wine, and spices as you cook for a further 15-20 minutes

6. Test for flavours and adjust accordingly

7. When the tomatoes have released a significant amount of moisture (add more wine if is it not loose enough, but you dont want it too wet that it makes your bread soggy when you plate) make small wells and crack in your eggs

8. At this point you can continue cooking on the stove top until the egg sets, or you can stick it under the broiler, but watch carefuly so the egg does not overcook 

9. If you are using crusty bread, coat with olive oil and toast

10. Plate with the tomato mixture on top of the bread with the egg on top, grate some parmesan, sprinkle parsley or scapes over top, and drizzle some olive oil all over!  

My sous chef @la_carnita hooking up the plates