Make Full Use Of Life With This Fabulous Shakshuka Recipe

Last updated on July 12nd, 2022 at 08:48 am

Israeli foods you must try include spicy foods

Mexico has always had an obsession with Mexican food, but Israel is just starting to develop its own spicy foods.

Israeli food has become very famous around the globe. This cuisine has its roots in the Middle East, where it was developed over thousands of years. The main ingredients are olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, tomatoes, onions, spices, herbs, and other vegetables.

Israel is known for its rich culinary heritage, and Israelis love their food. In fact, they eat out at least twice per week. They also enjoy cooking at home.

Israelis love to cook and experiment with new recipes. There are some dishes that are typical to the country such as hummus (a chickpeas dip), falafel (fried balls of ground chickpeas), and shakshuka (eggs poached in tomato sauce).

Israeli food has a distinct flavor because it's made from very fresh, local ingredients. Israelis are very diverse, so they eat lots of different foods from all over the world and their dishes vary greatly.

The Israeli Shakshuka Shakshuka Recipe

Today, the flavor of Israel’s multicultural community includes spices from all over the world.

• Ethiopian Berbere includes nutmeg, black pepper, coriander seed, cumin seed, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and paprika, chili, it adds a pungent earthy, spicy taste to dishes. It is like a curry that is used to season a thick, traditional Ethiopian chicken stew called Doro Wat that is eaten by scooping it up by hand with flatbread made with teff flour.

• Yemeni Hawaj is a blend of Tumeric, black pepper, onion, cumin, cardamom, and cloves, which is the base of seasoning for traditional dishes like Yemini chicken soup made with whole chicken legs, potatoes, and onions.

• Zhug also has Yemini origins. It can come dry, or in a paste and is for people who don’t shy away from super-hot flavors. It is made from chili Tianjin, garlic, coriander, cumin, salt, cardamom, cloves, and cilantro. It comes in a red sauce variety, usually referred to as charif, or spicy at falafel stands. Another kind is green in color from either green peppers or cilantro.

• Moroccan and Tunisian Harissa is used as a rub for lamb, seasoning for sauces, or as a condiment. It is composed of chili California, chili New Mexico, coriander, garlic, salt, cumin, chili Cayenne, and citric acid.

• Iraqis like their Baharat, a mix of nutmeg, black pepper, coriander seed, cumin seed, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and paprika, chili. It’s traditionally used to add to a stew of okra, tomato, and beef to give it an aromatic taste and smell.

• The Russian community prefers Paprika, which exists in a spicy and slightly sweet form. 

Shakshuka and What is Israeli shakshuka?

Shakshuka is one of the most popular dishes in Israel. It’s typically prepared by simmering eggs in tomato sauce with spices until they become soft.

Shakshuka originated from North Africa. Unlike the other Mediterranean or Middle Eastern eggs dishes, shakshuka is served in the morning instead of at dinner. Also, unlike other egg dishes, shakshuka is eaten plain, with bread or pickles, or with vegetables.

It was named after the Arabic word for "mixed up" because of its various ingredients, but there are several regional variations of shakshuka throughout Israel. Regardless of where you find it, however, you're guaranteed to get a savory meal that's hearty enough for lunch or dinner.

The dish's name comes from the Arabic word for "all mixed up," which refers to its ingredients. Shakshuka has a few variations depending on where you find it in Israel; it can be made sweeter or spicier depending on what foods are available regionally. But no matter where you find it, you're guaranteed to find a spicy meal that's hearty enough to keep you going all day long.

Shakshuka is usually served with plenty of spice. You may often find a mix of spices, including cayenne pepper and red chili powder, in shakshuka recipes. Although the dish's title comes from the Arabic word meaning "mixed up" (which refers to its ingredients), it actually means "everything mixed together."

Shakshuka has several regional variations but it's always served with eggs cooked sunny side up. It can be sweetened or spiced depending on what ingredients are available locally. However, no matter where you find shakshuka, you're sure to find a delicious breakfast dish that will leave you satisfied for hours.

Shakshuka Recipe

Israeli Shakshuka Recipe (Easy & Traditional)

2 teaspoons olive oil
4 extra-large ripe tomatoes, chopped
2 red bell peppers, diced
1 large onion, diced
1 green jalapeno pepper, finely diced
26 1⁄2 ounces pomi brand chopped tomatoes (nothing works like this!)
kosher salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
6 large eggs  

Instructions

• You need a large nonstick deep sauté pan that has a cover. Sauté onions in olive oil until opaque and tender.
• Add red bell pepper and continue sauteing until it softens up.
• Reduce heat to low. Add the fresh chopped tomatoes, and cook until they are breaking apart.
• With a slotted spoon, add the chunkiest parts of the contents of the "Pomi" - the majority of the sauce should remain in the carton. Add the jalapeno now also.
• Cook for 30-40 minutes, partially cover and stir every once in a while. If it starts to look dry, add some of the sauce from the carton, slowly, as you need it. Add the salt and pepper  
• The final product should be a thick sauce that just looks like a whole lot of tomatoes stuck together - with very little to no juice, that is about 1-1 1/2 inches high.
• Crack open the eggs on top of the shakshuka, one by one, giving each their own space. The whites should overlap, but the yolk should be spaced about 4 finger widths from each other.  
• Cover tightly with a lid and simmer for 20 minutes.

Source and Credits:

https://forward.com/food/130870/cooking-with-the-spices-of-israel/

https://www.israel21c.org/spice-up-your-life-10-best-ethiopian-eateries-in-israel/

https://www.food.com/recipe/israeli-shakshuka-281877