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S H A K S H U K A

Happy New Year!! Cheers to 2016 & for all the wonderful, exciting things to happen to each & every one of us. The future is mad bright, y'all!

I was recently featured on the Lodge Cast Iron's Instagram for my Shakshuka last winter (yay!!) & after seeing the sexy, saucy, spiciness I knew I had to make it again. 

This recipe is adapted by one I found online here from the New York Times >> Shakshuka. The difference between this & my recipe is that instead of having hot sauce I actually use Thai Chili Peppers in it! Muy picante y muy delicioso!

I've used other cheeses besides feta too, in case you are a feta hater- so don't be afraid to try out your fav cheeses! This is seriously the easiest, crowd pleasing dish you could make for brunch so go & make it!

Ingredients:

1 Can Whole Plum Tomatoes (chopped with shears in the can)

1 Large Bell Pepper, seeded & chopped

1 Large Onion chopped

4 Garlic cloves minced

1 cup Crumbled Feta Cheese *plain or herb!

Extra Virgin Olive oil (EVOO)

6 Eggs

~4-6 Thai Chili Peppers

Salt & Pepper

1 tsp Cumin

1 tsp Smoked Paprika

1 tsp Cayenne

Cilantro for garnish

Directions:

1. Get a cast iron skillet! Heat to medium high heat & add olive oil. 

2. Sautée roughly sliced/ chopped onions & bell peppers + thai chili peppers until translucent & tender~ 12-18 minutes. 

3. Add (organic) garlic! I got this little guy at the indoor farmer's market at Mill No.5 from Mill City Grows!  *If you are in the Lowell, MA area you have to check it out! 

4. Once garlic becomes insanely aromatic toss in your cumin, smoked paprika & cayenne! 

5. Add the coarsely chopped tomatoes (open/ remove lid, take kitchen shears & snip away at the tomatoes!) & sauce.. Season with salt & pepper!

6. Stir in crumbled feta cheese (save some for garnish!) and let simmer for a few minutes.

7. With your slotted spoon make little nests inside the shakshuka & crack in your eggs!

8. Cook for a few minutes & turn on your broiler to HIGH- pop 'er in to set the eggs. This takes maybe a minute or 2- any longer & you WILL overcook your eggs! If you find the yolk is covered by the egg whites just cook enough & peel back the film.

9. Top with more feta, chilis + cilantro for a fresh pop of color & flavor.

Serve with crusty bread & champagne [;

Cheers to you! Yeah.. YOU!! 

Thanks for reading & please let me know if you end up making this or any other recipes on my blog!