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    Home >> Recipes >> African

    Spicy Shakshuka

    Modified: Jul 23, 2025 · Published: Jun 29, 2016 by Analida · • Word count:777 words. • About 4 minutes to read this article. • This post may contain affiliate links ·

    224 shares
    • 9
    ↓ Jump to Recipe
    My favorite spicy egg dish! Saucy with some heat and delicious eggs in purgatory with fresh basil! Enjoy Prego® Farmers' Market #PickedAtPeak | ethnicspoon.com

    Spicy shakshuka eggs? Now that sounds interesting.

     

    a poached egg in marinara sauce with a slice of bread a spoon on the left and a jar of sauce behind

    Jump to:
    • Why use farm fresh eggs? 
    • Dish Origins
    • Serving spicy shakshuka
    • 📖 Recipe

    What is shakshuka? Well, it's a simple dish that uses tomato sauce, eggs, basil and red pepper flakes. It can be prepared in less than 30 minutes; so in my opinion a fabulous dish! Spicy shakshuka (also known as eggs in purgatory) are perfect for a weeknight meal.

    Why use farm fresh eggs? 

    This farmers' market near my house sells fresh eggs. They are the best.  The yolk is bright yellow and the taste is so much richer. I am totally drooling just thinking about it. The basil used in this dish, I grow in  my back yard. Basil is easy to grow, it loves sunshine which my yard gets plenty of during the summer months. Basil is also hardy, which is a definite BONUS since I am not known for my green thumb. My family and I always love using fresh ingredients; it's really the best way to achieve intense fabulous flavors. In the summer time we try to buy as many ingredients as possible from our nearby farmers' markets.

    a poached egg in red sauce topped with basil and some bread on a napkin on the left

    Dish Origins

    Someone, long long ago went into the kitchen and said: "Hmmm, well, I have tomatoes, garlic, eggs, basil and a bit of red pepper. What to make?" Voila! The dish was born. Necessity is indeed the mother of invention. Spicy shakshuka actually has origins in the Middle East. This dish is also popular in North Africa, and a close cousin of a Mexican favorite: huevos rancheros.

    So there are two processes with this shakshuka recipe: boiling the sauce and poaching the eggs. Pretty simple!

    On medium heat bring sauce to a slow boil (about 200'F). Add the red pepper flakes, nutmeg and stir. That's it, really.

    To poach the eggs: Place each egg in a ramekin, and bring about 1" of water to a simmer (180'F). Add salt and 2 teaspoons of vinegar to the water. Swirl the water with a spoon or small spatula. This trick I learned from my son who is in culinary school.  He said the swirling helps the egg achieve a compact shape. Gently lower the egg into the water. Cook  egg for about 4 minutes for a medium yolk.

    Steps to make the perfect poached egg for eggs in purgatory. Add 1 teaspoon vinegar, allow temperature to hit 180f. Swirl the water with a spoon as you drop in the egg. Cook for about 4 minutes. | ethnicspoon.com

    Portion sauce into bowl. Remove egg from water with a slotted spoon.

    Slide the poached egg on top of sauce and top with strips of fresh basil and red pepper flakes. Enjoy with crusty wholegrain artisan bread. This is so easy!

    Spicy and saucy eggs in purgatory with fresh basil and a spoon on the left

    I opted for using pasta sauce today for lack of time. Prego is usually my go-to. I love garlic, and the taste of this sauce is so fresh. Now, don't be afraid about the garlic part. It's not like "keep the evil spirits away" garlicky, just a nice fresh tasting garlic taste. The overall flavors in this sauce are truly "farm fresh" tasting. The red pepper flakes add a punch of heat. A little heat I said, not the eternal fires of hell, just clarifying.

    Serving spicy shakshuka

    By the way, make sure you have some nice, fresh artisan bread. Whole grain is my choice.  I like to toast my bread for extra texture. And also, feel free to dip the bread into the sauce as it heats, I do! When it comes to good bread and tomato sauce my will power vanishes.  I am like a kid who is told not to get into the cookie jar!

     

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    📖 Recipe

    My favorite spicy egg dish! Saucy with some heat and delicious eggs in purgatory with fresh basil! Enjoy Prego® Farmers' Market #PickedAtPeak | ethnicspoon.com

    Spicy Shakshuka Recipe

    Spicy and delicious eggs in purgatory with fresh basil!  Serve this with a nice crusty bread.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main dish
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: eggs in tomato sauce, how to poach an egg, poach an egg in a pan
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 112kcal
    Author: Analida Braeger

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups tomato sauce Prego Farmers' Market Roasted Garlic Sauce
    • 1 dash nutmeg
    • ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 2 eggs poached
    • 2 teaspoon vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 6 basil leaves fresh, cut into strips
    • 1 dash red pepper flakes for sprinkling
    • 1 dash salt to taste

    Instructions

    • In a sauce pan on medium heat, bring the sauce to a slow boil.
    • Add the nutmeg, red pepper flakes, and stir.
    • To poach the eggs:
    • Place each egg in a ramekin
    • In a small saucepan place 1" of water, salt and vinegar and slowly bring to a temperature of 180'F.
    • Carefully swirl the water and slide each egg in to the water. continue to gently swirl a few more times. Cook for about 4 minutes for a medium yolk.
    • Once the sauce is thoroughly heated, transfer ¾ cup of sauce to each bowl.
    • Remove egg from water with a slotted spoon and gently slide an egg into each bowl.
    • Sprinkle with basil strip and red pepper flakes.
    • Enjoy with plenty of crusty bread.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 2226mg | Potassium: 668mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1135IU | Vitamin C: 12.9mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 2.6mg

     

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    224 shares
    • 9

    Comments

    1. Carolyn West says

      June 29, 2016 at 11:47 am

      I'm not even a big egg fan but this looks amazing! #client

      Reply
    2. Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says

      June 29, 2016 at 9:23 pm

      I have a feeling my youngest son would love this! I'm looking forward to trying it!

      Reply
      • Analida says

        July 02, 2016 at 9:02 pm

        I love a nice spicy egg dish too!

        Reply
    3. Miz Helen says

      October 22, 2016 at 2:51 pm

      5 stars
      My husband love Eggs In Purgatory, we will give your awesome recipe a try! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great weekend and come back soon!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
      • Analida says

        October 22, 2016 at 5:17 pm

        Hi Miz Helen! I am so glad your husband loves Eggs in Purgatory! Yes, give my recipe a try. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Twin Pickle says

      October 23, 2016 at 11:19 am

      Yes please!!! This looks totally delicious, will be trying this week for sure. #letsgetrealsocial

      Reply
      • Analida says

        October 24, 2016 at 1:53 pm

        Hope you like it!!!

        Reply
    5. April J Harris says

      October 25, 2016 at 1:35 am

      5 stars
      Prego sauce is a great shortcut to this classic dish! Eggs in Purgatory are so delicious and your version looks amazing. Thank you for sharing with us at Hearth and Soul.

      Reply
      • Analida says

        October 25, 2016 at 2:59 pm

        You are welcome April. This is also one of those stick to your ribs kind of dish.
        Have a great week!

        Reply

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    Analida profile pictureI’ve been researching and recreating ethnic recipes for over 20 years. My passion is sharing easy, affordable, and mostly healthy dishes made with fresh ingredients—always sprinkled with a touch of culture and food history...Read more-->

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