Simple and delicious dish that is perfect to serve any time of the day. This homemade Shakshuka with Parmesan Polenta is so versatile, it can be served for breakfast, brunch, and even dinner. Eggs are poached in a delectable mixture of veggies and spices and served over Parmesan cheese flavored polenta.
Shakshuka Recipe
I’m walking down memory lane today, thinking about all the wonderful food I eat every time I travel to New York.
It’s been a couple of years since I was in NY and I miss all the tasty places where I like to eat. I also think about the places I haven’t tried yet. My mom and my sister have been going there quite often in the last couple of years but they don’t take full advantage of the food scene. To be honest, I’m quite jealous.
If I were to go to NY, I don’t even know what I would eat first. The food scene changes so fast there, but are always delicious and memorable. One of my most memorable food adventures was when I met the Brooklyn Baking Barons. Their Honey Whiskey Cake is unforgettable! Last time I ordered one, I nearly ate the whole thing myself.
The cake is not the only thing that impressed me when I met the boys. I visited one of their pop up brunches in Brooklyn and that was the first time I tried Shakshuka. Before that, I’ve heard about this dish but never got the pleasure of trying it. Tony and Chris served their Shakshuka over some polenta and it was a delicious combination.
Even though I knew that I could never recreate Tony’s grandmother’s Shakshuka recipe, I had to learn how to make this dish for myself. I love how simple it is and that it can be served any time of the day. Eggs for dinner? No problem!
Some More Recipe To Try:
Creamy Tortellini with Peas Asparagus and Bacon
Sun Dried Tomato Lemon Baked Salmon and Asparagus
Spinach Artichoke Crustless Quiche
Avocado Bacon Ranch Breakfast Sandwich
If you made any of my recipes and shared them on Instagram, make sure to tag me @willcookforsmiles and #willcookforsmiles so I can see all the things you tried!
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Shakshuka with Parmesan Polenta
Ingredients
Parmesan Polenta
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups vegetable broth low sodium
- 1 cup dry cornmeal/polenta
- 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
Shakshuka
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion
- 1 large red bell pepper
- 6 tomatoes on a vine
- 4 garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp tomato sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper more or less per taste
- 1 tsp cumin
- salt to taste
- 4 eggs
Instructions
Polenta:
- Combine water, broth, and salt in a medium sauce pot. Mix it and bring to boil.
- Add dry cornmeal/polenta and let it boil for a minute or so whole slowly stirring.
- Lower the heat to low, cover and let coon until thick and creamy. Stir often to ensure even cooking.
- A few minutes before polenta is done, stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir to let it melt and mix in.
- Take off heat.
Shakshuka:
- Dice onion, bell pepper, and tomatoes. Crush and mince garlic cloves.
- Preheat a large cooking pan over medium heat and add olive oil.
- Add diced onion and bell pepper and cook until onion is transparent.
- Add tomatoes and garlic. Stir and cook for a few minutes.
- Lower the heat to low and add tomato sauce, salt, sugar, paprika, cayenne pepper, dry parsley, and cumin. Stir, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Crack eggs on top of veggies and season them with some salt and dry parsley. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 7-10 minutes, until the egg white is cooked. You can cook more or less depending on how runny you like your eggs.
- Spoon some cooked polenta into a bowl and add shakshuka with egg of top.
- You can add a little more Parmesan cheese when serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Carrie W says
This time of the year, we’re overrun with tomatoes from our CSA. I LOVE BLTs and Caprese, but needed a break and this fit the bill nicely. The sauce is deeply flavorful without a lot of fussy ingredients. I coarsely chopped 4 hefty beefsteak tomatoes which is what I had on hand and knew I’d need to cook them down longer than the recipe called for because of the extra water. 10 minutes on medium high, uncovered, before turning back down before dropping in the eggs was perfect. I had room for extra eggs in my pan so I make a few extra for leftovers.
I only made one major deviation from the recipe by sprinkling za’atar seasoning over the eggs at the end instead of parsley. I already had it on hand because another version of Shakshuka that I make in the dead of winter with canned tomato calls for it and I like the flavor it gives. I like your recipe better though!
Thank you for sharing your recipe. It is a good one!
LyubaB says
Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Carrie! I love that you like the recipe!
TaNae says
This is exactly the way I serve my shakshuka – over Parmesan polenta. The creamy polenta really plays well with the spices of the shakshuka. I have made this as is and it is delish. I do normally cut my veggies into thin strips. Just a preference.
I have also made it and played with this recipe a bit when it comes to spices. I have some tasty Trader Joe’s spices I added (a few turns of the binder each) – TJ’s South African Smoke seasoning and TJ’s Akika Georgian Seasoning blend and some North AfricanRas El Hanout I happened to have around at the time.
I usually top with cilantro (or flat leaf parsley if I’m with a cilantro hater). Another fave is adding a bit of arugula on top bc I’m obsessed with arugula on pretty much everything.
I have also topped with goat cheese or feta for another variation. I even made it sans the eggs (still delish). This recipe, like shakshuka is so versatile! Make it without alterations first and then play with it. Adding roasted eggplant, chilies for more spice. I do use good canned tomatoes rather than fresh. Just for ease. But I did find that simmering the veggies and tomatoes slow and low for a longer period of time gave such a huge boost and change to the flavor profile. Again, try as is, and tweak for your desires. It’s pure comfort.
LyubaB says
Mmm, you had me at goat cheese! Sounds lovely! I am glad you like it!