Shakshouka Inspired Tomato Sauce

Shakshouka inspired baked feta with chickpeas

I thought this recipe might be a great way to “get outside the box” so to speak, when it comes to how we are using spices in our kitchen. Could we consider the humble tomato sauce as a carrier to bring some new and delicious flavours onto our plates?

One of you recently shared a favourite recipe with me for a spaghetti sauce with cinnamon 🙏🏼 ………..And it got me thinking about Shakshouka, a traditional North African and Middle Eastern dish based on an aromatically spiced tomato sauce. While the traditional recipe features eggs poached in this sauce (you can find the recipe HERE), the flavouring of the sauce is amenable to a wide range of uses.

I love these flavours over pasta. As a sauce, it can easily accommodate ground beef - or not, depending on your dining preferences.

If you don’t want pasta or meat, add some chickpeas and use the sauce as a base in which to bake a few chunks of feta for a delicious main dish. If you don’t want the cheese, add some olives and capers for extra flavour and pizzazz.

Serve garnished with fresh parsley, or alongside a salad of fresh greens. It makes a beautiful meal.

Shakshouka inspired sauce with pasta, chickpeas and a spoonful of cilantro pesto

SHAKSHOUKA INSPIRED TOMATO SAUCE

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons heat stable quality oil of your choice such as cold pressed avocado oil

1 large onion chopped

3 cloves garlic minced

2 sweet bell peppers chopped

6 cups (about 48oz) of crushed tomato

1 teaspoon freshly ground coriander

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon sweet paprika

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon turmeric

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt or to taste

Black pepper and/or chilies to taste if you like it hot

Optional additions:

1/4 of a preserved lemon finely chopped

For extra spice - Harissa paste, or more chilies

Garnish with chopped parsley or mint, olives or crumbled feta

1. Sauté the onions in the avocado oil till soft and translucent.

2. Add the garlic and sauté another minute before adding the tomato sauce and spices. Adjust seasonings to taste.

3. Can be used in any of the suggestions listed in the introduction. If you want to add ground beef, add it once the onions are softened and brown nicely before you add the remainder of the ingredients.