Perfect for a brunch or dinner, this North African spicy shakshuka recipe is a divine combination of North African spices, meatballs, couscous and baked eggs! A match made in heaven, you're going to LOVE this insane flavour combination!
So many conflictions with this recipe!
Do I call is North African spicy shakshuka? Or Moroccan baked eggs? Or Middle Eastern baked eggs? Or baked eggy goodness in spicy sauce (not sure that one would have been good for SEO!)? I had way too many cross-cultural food influences to decide. But given that shakshuka, harissa and Israeli couscous are all eaten in North Africa, North African spicy shakshuka it was!
Also, is it breakfast? Or is it dinner? We ate it for dinner but I felt with the eggs it felt more like breakfast!
Third confliction, do I add meatballs after or before couscous? Was it going to burn, where my eggs going to cook!?
Way too many variations to consider for a tired Tuesday night, but we got there in the end.
This recipe was born out of an on the spur moment to get creative in the kitchen with the food I already had. I was trying to figure what to do with the ground beef I had, the leftover goat cheese, the wilting parsley, and the beef broth that was going to go off sometime soon, and really wanted to do something different.
This was not actually a planned post. Originally for today, I had a salad that I was going to share, because #newyearsintentions, but this was so good, I just had to quickly whip it up and photograph it before it was devoured! Oh, and I wanted to use my new photography light!
While it's a bit of a cross-cultural influence for the recipe, this North African spicy shakshuka recipe is oh so good! It's not too heavy, comforting enough for the winter, would make THE perfect lazy weekend brunch or lazy dinner, is very simple to make, oh and is only 1 pot meaning less washing up!
Spicy Shakshuka Recipe Notes
The combination of flavours in the meatballs is insanely good. I've combined some classic spices, with just a hint of lemon rind for some extra zing. The flavour that brings this all together though is the harissa!
I've made quite a few recipes with harissa before (like this, this and you must try this!), in fact, it's one of my favourite spices to cook with! World Market has a great harissa spice blend and it's my absolute fav to use!
To clarify our breakfast versus dinner debate, I reckon you could do both! The addition of eggs would be perfect for a weekend brunch, but if you're not into eating eggs for dinner, then simply omit them!
So happy New Year friends, and if you didn't see my 2017 in review post, check that out on your way! I have a good feeling about this year, and I mean, it can't be all bad if we start with a spicy meatball recipe right?
Georgie x x
📖 Recipe
North African Spicy Shakshuka
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lbs beef ground
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- ½ teaspoon paprika ground
- 1 teaspoon harissa ground
- 2 garlic cloves crushed or finely chopped
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- zest of half a lemon
Shakshuka
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow/brown onion finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves crushed or finely diced
- 2 teaspoon cumin ground
- ½ teaspoon paprika ground
- 1 teaspoon harissa ground
- 1 ½ cups beef stock
- ½ cup Israeli/pearl couscous
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- 4 eggs optional
- parsley for garnish
- zest of half a lemon for garnish
- 2 oz goat cheese for garnish
Instructions
- In a cast iron pan or skillet, heat olive oil over medium to high heat.
- Add onion, and fry for 5 to 10 minutes until soft.
- Add garlic and fry 2 more minutes.
- Add cumin, harissa and paprika and fry off until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste, and tomatoes.
- Add beef stock and couscous. Stir until well combined. Simmer 10 minutes until cous cous starts to soften.
- Add meatballs and carefully stir to combine.
- Reduce to low, cook lid off, 20 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through. Be careful to keep stirring as couscous will stick to the bottom of the pan. Add more beef broth for a thinner stew.
- If using, make 4 small holes and add a cracked egg.
- Turn heat to low. Put on the lid and cook until egg whites turn from clear to white.
- To serve, garnish with goat cheese, lemon zest and parsley. Serve with crusty bread.
Nutrition
What do you reckon? Breakfast or dinner? Or both?
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He was really not willing, to participate in the NYE festivities!
Heidi says
This looks so flavorful! Love trying different cuisines!
Georgie says
thanks Heidi! it's so easy and delish!
Vicky says
Serving this with some crusty bread to sop up the sauce would be perfect. Filling, fragrant and delicious!
Susie says
I love recipes that are born out of the need to use up ingredients before they go bad! This is the best looking shakshuka I have seen. I love the addition of couscous, goat cheese and meatballs. YUM
Georgie says
thank you Susie! it's such a great recipe, the goat cheese really adds that extra creaminess to it! and couscous for texture and taste!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
I like the SEO unfriendly title baked eggy goodness in spicy sauce!! It looks so fabulous! I love shaksuka and always want to make it! Hubby likes it too but doesn't want it every other day! I can't wait to try your recipe, it looks so delicious! Gorgeous photos!!
Georgie says
HA HA I did too!!!! thanks so much Elaine! your comments are so sweet!
Dannii says
This is one of our favourite easy weeknight meals and a great way to use up leftovers too. We add a ton of goats cheese too.
Georgie says
I freaking LOVE goat cheese! it's so creamy and delicious!
Cindy @ The Sweet Nerd says
I love the combination of meatballs and eggs - you really can't go wrong with that. You could conceivably make it vegetarian with soyrizo.
Georgie says
what a great idea! i love making recipes meat and vegetarian! thanks for the idea Cindy!
Kay says
Hey Georgie! This sounds so delicious, I think there is something similar to this in one of my favourite brunch places in my city only minus the meat and it's heaven! Feeling very smug now I've found your recipe and can whip it up at home now! I think without meat for breakfast and with for dinner maybe? Yummy either way! Thank you for the recipe!
Georgie says
i think you're thinking, meatballs for dinner eggs for breakfast! Thanks for stopping by Kay 🙂
Neha Khanuja says
That shakshuka looks divine. Thanks for sharing. Also I love your pup. He is so adorable. Also I am just starting out with my baking blog. Here is the link. https://greedyeats.com/ Have a look if you get a chance. Thanks. 🙂
Georgie says
thank you Neha! archie is amazing such a cutie and a good boy! thanks for the love 🙂
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
Caaaaan't wait to make this - hubby will LOVE. Also, I have the same photography light. Such a necessity for these winter days with such little light!! In the summer I can take awesome photos at 8pm 🙁
Georgie says
yes hope you do make it! ha that light is an absolute saviour! i genuinly think it helps me take wayyyyy better photos in general! i miss summer!
Molly @ Spices in My DNA says
Omg shakshuka with meatballs in it?!?! I need this!!
Georgie says
such a good combo molly!