Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Creole-Spiced Shakshuka

Creole-Spiced Shakshuka
Louisiana seasoning and andouille crank up this classic breakfast or dinner dish

Shakshuka (aka shakshouka or chakchouka) is a spicy tomato stew that features a garnish of cooked eggs.

The dish probably originated in North Africa. Today, versions of it are found throughout the Mediterranean region. The basics of the dish remain the same no matter where it’s found, but the end flavor can vary.

We decided to put our own Creole-spiced spin on shakshuka, giving it a New Orleans vibe. Jazzy, in other words.

Creole-Spiced Shakshuka
Recipe: Creole-Spiced Shakshuka

This dish always features tomato, and usually includes onion and bell peppers (green peppers are typical, though we’re using red ones in this recipe). Typically, the eggs are cracked into the simmering tomatoes and gently poached.

Shakshuka is often served as a vegetarian dish, though it’s not uncommon to see versions with meat (particularly ground beef or lamb, or maybe spicy sausage). Our recipe for Moroccan Kefta and Tomato Tagine is actually a form of shakshuka.

Our version of this dish takes the flavor in a New World direction. We use spicy Louisiana-style andouille sausage and Cajun/Creole seasoning to zip up the flavor (see Notes).

Because this recipe contains eggs, many people think of it as a breakfast dish. But we often eat breakfast for dinner, so it works as an evening meal for us.

Prep time for this dish is about 10 minutes. Cooking time adds 20 minutes or so.

This dish yields 4 servings. We like to serve it with crusty bread, preferably toasted (garlic toast is wonderful).

Ingredients   

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 6 to 8 ounces andouille sausage, thinly sliced (may substitute another spicy sausage like kielbasa; see Notes)
  • 1 medium onion, diced or thinly sliced
  • 1 medium or small bell pepper, diced (we prefer red bell pepper for this dish, but any color works)
  • 1 rib celery, thinly sliced
  • salt to taste (1 teaspoon kosher salt for us; see Notes)
  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced or thinly sliced (to taste)
  • 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes (can substitute whole tomatoes; see Notes)
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun/Creole seasoning (we make our own; see Notes)
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley for garnish (cilantro works too)

Procedure 

  1. Place a large frying pan over medium stovetop heat. When it’s hot, add the olive oil. Once the oil is heated (about 15 seconds – it’ll shimmer), add the andouille slices. Sauté the andouille on each side until brown (this will take several minutes).
  2. Remove the andouille slices and drain them on a paper towel. Add more olive oil to the pan if needed, then add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery. Season with salt to taste. Sauté for 5 minutes, until the onion is just translucent.
  3. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
  4. Add the tomatoes, the Cajun/Creole seasoning, and the cooked andouille slices. Stir to combine, then simmer for 10 minutes (up to 20, if you prefer).
  5. Taste the tomato sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Using a large spoon, make a depression or well in the tomato sauce towards one edge of the pan. Break an egg directly into the depression. Repeat with the rest of the eggs. You may want to spoon a bit of sauce over the eggs to cover them (we usually don’t do this). Cover the pan, then reduce the heat to low. Cook until the egg whites are set and the yolk is still a bit runny (5 minutes or so; if you want the egg yolks totally cooked, 10 minutes).
  6. Sprinkle parsley on top and dish up. We like to serve shakshuka with some crusty bread. And we put a bottle of hot sauce on the table for those who want a spicier dish.

Creole-Spiced Shakshuka
Notes

  • You can use commercial Cajun/Creole seasoning in this dish, but it’s often quite salty. So we make our own: Combine 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 to 2 teaspoons dried thyme (to taste), 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 to 2 teaspoons cayenne (to taste), 1 teaspoon paprika, and ½ teaspoon celery seed. Mix thoroughly. This makes more than you need for this recipe – reserve the rest for another use.
  • So, what’s the difference between Cajun and Creole cuisine? “Creole” refers to the original European settlers of Louisiana, particularly those from France and Spain. Cajuns are descendants of the people who moved to Louisiana from French-speaking Acadia (located in what are now the Canadian Maritimes).
  • In general, Cajun food tends to be more rustic, while Creole food is more European-influenced. Creole dishes tend to be fancier – one reason they’re so common on New Orleans restaurant menus. 
  • Tomatoes are much more common in Creole than in Cajun dishes. Because of the tomatoes, we call this dish “Creole-spiced.”
  • Andouille from Louisiana is a smoked, spicy, garlic-infused sausage made from pork. Several national brands of andouille are available in the U.S. (Aidells is probably the best that we’ve tasted), but none are as good as the andouille sausage found in Louisiana. 
  • Can’t find good andouille? Another spicy smoked sausage (like kielbasa) would work well.
  • BTW, French andouille is quite different from that produced in Louisiana, and would not be a good substitute in this dish.
  • We often make this dish with crushed tomatoes, but whole tomatoes create a slightly lighter sauce. To make this dish with whole tomatoes, just crush them in your hands when adding them to the frying pan (or you can whirl them very briefly in a blender). We don’t recommend using diced tomatoes – the cooking time for this dish is so brief that they won’t break down and form a sauce. 
  • This is a pretty hefty dish, so we think 1 egg per person is sufficient. But feel free to double the number of eggs if you prefer to serve 2 per person. 
  • We use kosher salt in cooking. It’s less salty by volume than regular table salt (the crystals are larger and more irregular, so they pack a measure less tightly). If you’re using table salt, start with about half the amount we suggest. But always season to your taste, not ours.

Creole-Spiced Shakshuka
Beats

“Tasty!” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “Nice riff on a legendary dish.”

“Yup,” I said. “Music to my palate. Glad I jazzed this up.”

“So you’ll be strutting your funky stuff for a while, I suppose,” said Mrs K R.

Mais oui,” I said “I’m all shuka up.”

“That note was off key,” said Mrs K R. “Maybe you should tune your tongue.”

Wop bop a loo bop. Bam.

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72 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

I always enjoy Shakshuka or any egg dishes. I too like to use homemade spice blends. So much fresher and cheaper!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Angie, and the best thing about homemade spice blends is you can make them exactly to your own taste! It's that "season to taste" thing. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Pam said...

My kind of breakfast! YUM.

Terry at Blue Kitchen said...

John, I could smell this cooking as you described adding ingredients to the pan! I've actually never made shakshuka before, but your Cajun spin on it makes me think it's time to do so. Thanks!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, nice and spicy -- we like. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Terry, shakshuka is definitely worth making. We also make a Mexican version that's pretty good. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Sippity Sup said...

I used to attend an event in Palm Springs called Jazz Breakfast. Were you on the organizing committee? This is a wonderful interpretation. GREG

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Greg, LOL, never been in Palm Springs. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Mae Travels said...

When I first tried shakshuka in Tel Aviv several years ago, I didn't dream that it would become so popular that it would inspire all sorts of fusion versions. I've also had one that used chick peas, but no eggs, so I don't even know why they used the same name for the dish. Interesting experiments.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, it's interesting how certain dishes will capture the imagination. This is such a great one. Fun to play with. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Anne in the kitchen said...

It looks very good, and andouille sausage screams to me. But the only way I could make this for our dinner would be to make sure the egg touched TheHub's portion only. I don't eat eggs except a very rare scramble or frittata.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anne, easy enough to crowd a couple of eggs together. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Marcelle said...

Hey John, wow this looks amazing! I've seen Shakshuka around, but idk why we've never tried it. The Creole flavors infused into your version have me convinced we need to though. We love the andouille sausage to LA too!! Thanks for your recipe for the Cajun seasoning. I have some common, store-bought seasoning mixes in my pantry, and you're right they are very salty so we use them sparingly LOL Wonderful recipe and post!! 🔥💖

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Marcelle, there are some great tasting commercial Cajun seasonings, but wow! SO salty! Homemade is definitely better in this case. :-) Thanks for the comment.

mjskit said...

Well, I think I need to give the dish another try. Your version is very very appealing! We love andouille of course and anything spicy. Looks quite delicious!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, hard NOT to like andouille, isn't it? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Raymund said...

OMG, this is one of my favorite dishes, whats even better you put it up a notch by making it Creole style. Love it

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Raymund, we love it too! :-) Thanks for the comment.

savorthebest said...

Great spin on this dish. I don't know why I don't make this very often. I will have to try your version, it sounds fabulous

Frank said...

Wow, this sounds like it's just packed with flavor. Yum!

Bernadette said...

This would make an amazing Sunday Brunch.

Kitchen Riffs said...

HI Dahn, we don't make this dish all that often, either. But it's terrific! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Frank, it really does have a ton of flavor.:-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bernadette, this is a perfect brunch dish -- a bit filling, but that's appropriate for brunch. Thanks for the comment.

Family Spice said...

Oooh yes! I'm loving the spicy touch. Breakfast is my favorite meal!

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

Alex always makes us shakshuka when he comes home. I'll have to pass on this recipe. Let the good times roll!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, one of our favorites too! Although more often than not we eat it for dinner. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, Alex will love this! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina said...

Love the kitchen antics between your wife and you. I keep telling my husband how much more fun it is when we are in the kitchen together! Thanks for this non-shellfish New Orleans recipe. It's nice to know recipes without shellfish from N.O. My son is moving there in about one month and so I'll finally be able to experience a little bit of this cuisine!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Roz, we always have fun in the kitchen! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Eha said...

I am too sleepy to makr this 'breakfast' but have enjoyed it as 'brunch' or 'lunch' forever ! Always think of it as the Jewish way to prep eggs !!! So add 'Creole' 'cause that is more 'acceptable' to my mindset :) !!! . . . tomorrow is Sunday here Down Under . . . perhaps and 'thank you' !!!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Eha, we love playing with this classic dish! It takes to so many different variations. This "Creole" one is our latest whim. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

I never had this dish but it looks so good. I don’t know if my husband would eat it.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Gerlinde, it IS really good! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Sherry's Pickings said...

when we first moved into this house we had renos done so lived downstairs without a kitchen. we lived on dishes like these that we could just throw in the electric frypan. so easy and tasty.

Happy Retiree's Kitchen said...

Decision made, shaksuka for Sunday night dinner. We love it but haven't made it for a while. I sometimes use chorizo for a spicy sausage. You have such interesting spices embedded into your history. Your recipe looks so very tasty. Great dish thanks KR.

David Scott Allen said...

This morning, at the market, I will be getting all the ingredients to make my own andouille sausage. I don’t have a sausage stuffer yet, so I will make patties and freeze them. I think it will work pretty well for this person. Shakshuka is one of our favorite dishes — one that I learned when I was a freshman in college. Then, I only called it eggs poached in tomato sauce. I have never tried it with meat. Thanks for this recipe and inspiration, John.

Judy@SavoringToday said...

Definitely gonna need some crusty bread for dipping ... you get it ready and I'll bring some bread, deal?! Seriously, this looks hearty and rich, perfect for Sunday brunch.

Eva Taylor said...

We love Shakshuka and this Creole spin sounds incredible. Will have to give it a try.
Eve http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com/

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sherry, this really is an easy dish to put together, isn't it? Awfully good, though. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

HI Pauline, Creole spicing is so nice -- lovely favor. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi David, making your own andouille will be fun! Making patties is a great idea. I suppose you could also just use the loose sausage meat -- kind of like an Italian meat sauce -- although I don't think I've ever seen shakshuka made that way. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Judy, LOL! You definitely need bread for dipping in the sauce. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Eva, we love the Creole version of shakshuka! Although we've never met a version we didn't like. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Velva- Evening with a Sandwich said...

I never grow tired of this dish. Your kicked-up creole version is a really nice twist.

Velva

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Velva, there's a good reason this is a classic dish! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Perfect for weekend company. I've been wanting to make shakshuka for years and you've given me a much needed nudge!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Liz, glad to give you a nudge! You -- and your company! -- will love this. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

This sounds like a winner and perfect for a late Sunday breakfast.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Karen, it's SO good. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Debra Eliotseats said...

This dish is always on my "to-make" list but I've never tried it. Sad. I love the flavors you incorporate here. You've might have spurred me on to get with it.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Debra, you really need to make some version of this -- such a great dish. Really, really flavorful. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

I've seen many versions of shakshuka, but a Creole one is really inspired. The andouille in it really makes it a wonderfully hearty dish, too.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, this really is pretty hearty. Could probably omit the andouille, but it's SO good! :-) Thanks for the comment.

JCHINLEE said...

I've been making your shakshuka for years. Now I can't wait to try this version.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi JCHINLEE, isn't this a neat version? SO much flavor! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes said...

I love this version! I think I might add some spicy sausage to it next time I try it!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, this is such a fun change of pace from the traditional recipe, isn't it? :-) Thanks for the comment.

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

We are fans of shakshukah. Of course my husband being from the Middle East had been eating and making it long before it became known in the US. I like your version with a creole twist.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Judee, such a great dish, isn't it? Nice to have an expert make it for you! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Valentina said...

Wow, this looks amazing, John. And I had jump to the Moroccan Kefta Tagine, which looks spectacular too. I will be busy with these two recipes. :-) ~Valentina
P.S. Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE that your blue and white napkin makes an appearance (I think) in every non-cocktail recipe? It's so awesome.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Valentina, this is such good stuff. As is the kefta tagine. Glad you noticed the napkin -- it does appear in almost every non-cocktail photo. I have a weird sense of humor. :-) And n a more practical matter, it makes for an excellent environmental watermark. Thanks for the comment.

Healthy World Cuisine said...

Putting a Creole twist to shakshuka is really brilliant. This is going to the boys new favorite breakfast. Book marked for the weekend festivities. Thanks

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, the boys will love this! :-) Thanks for the comment.

bread&salt said...

We traditionally make Shakshuka alot during the year. Actually there are many different shakshuka recipes. Your recipe looks so same to ours. Looks really great. Thanks for the recipe.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi B&S, there are so, so many different variations of Shakshuka -- but the basics are always the same. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

John, that looks like a beautiful meal for any time of day. I've never made a shakshuka, creole or otherwise, so I need to try this soon!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jean, this is SO good -- definitely worth making. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Inger said...

We do breakfast for dinner sometimes too. This looks so flavorful John, I say "yes" to it in an instant!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Inger, we have breakfast for dinner one night almost every week. And this is a great one. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Easyfoodsmith said...

This is so delicious and hearty. My family will love this flavour packed shakshuka.
And I am so glad that I could manage to finally get through to your blog after so many weeks of accessibility issues.
Have a great week ahead!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Taruna, I'm glad too! So sorry about the issues -- have no idea what's causing that. :-( Thanks for the comment.