Serving
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 Chakchouka - Eggs poached over Vegi Sauté
Tunisia
Serves:
Effort:
Time:
Preprep:		 4 (with 4 eggs)
moderate
1 hrs
All but last 5-min

Pronounced "ShaShouka". Variations are made from Turkey to Morroco but always with eggs over a base of Onions, Tomatoes and Peppers. The Tunesian version features hot peppers. I sometimes make up a double batch (including the optional potatoes and sausage) and refrigerate it. In the morning I heat some up in a pan and poach an egg over it for breakfast.

















-

-

 2
8
2
12

1+

1/2

1/4
1
1/4
1/2
1/4
4

-
1/2
-
1/2 		T
oz
cl
oz



t

t
#
t
t
c


-
#
-
# 		Olive Oil
Onions
Garlic
Bell Peppers
(red and/or green)
Chili Serrano equiv.
(see note-1)
Caraway seed
(see note-2)
Cumin seed
Tomatoes
Pepper, Black
Salt
Water
Eggs, large

Option-1
Sausage (see note-1)
Option-2
Potato, red

    PREP
  1. Halve ONION lengthwise, then slice thin. Chop CHILI fine, chop GARLIC fine, cut BELL PEPPERS into narrow strips about 1-1/2 inch long. (IF used) dice POTATO 1/2". (If used) cut SAUSAGE into very short lengths. Crush CARAWAY and CUMIN - Mix all.
  2. Dice TOMATOES 3/4"

    3. RUN (or Prep-2)
  3. Heat OIL in a sauté pan and sauté Onion / Bell Pepper / Chili mix, hot at first, then slowly until onion just starts to color.
  4. Stir in Tomato, SALT, PEPPER and WATER. Simmer covered until vegetables are very tender (20 minutes).
    - - - You can cool and refrigerate at this point. - - -
  5. Simmer uncovered until excess liquid evaporates (some free liquid should remain). Make 4 depressions and break an EGG into each. Cover and simmer until whites are set but yolk is still soft.

    6. Serve
  6. The moment Eggs are ready, scoop out onto dishes, keeping the egg on top of each, and serve immediately.
NOTES:
  1. Ripe red chilis are called for in some recipes while others use Harisa, a red chili paste. Whatever you use, figure enough to get the effect of 1 chili serrano, or hotter if you prefer.
  2. Some recipes have the caraway and cumin, others use only pepper.
  3. Authenticity obviously calls for lamb or beef sausage, but we Infidels are free to use pork sausage if we please
  4. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove, in=inch

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