Eggs in hell is a spicy Middle Eastern dish that gets its name because the eggs are delicately poached in a fiery hot and robust tomato sauce. This dish is also known as “Eggs in Purgatory” or “Shakshuka”.
At first, it was hard to wrap my head around eating poached eggs in tomato sauce. It really doesn’t sound all that appetizing, but when you really think about this dish, how could it not be good?
I’ve made Eggs in Hell quite a few times for Meatless Monday. Sometimes I use jarred sauce to save time, but it is always best when I make it using a basic tomato sauce I make from scratch.
Don’t let the word “Hell” run you off. You can take full control of just how spicy the tomato sauce is. Besides, you don’t want to miss out on this dish. The rich sauce has the perfect amount of heat and spice when mixed with the warm richness of the egg. I start salivating just thinking about it.
How To Make Eggs in Hell:
Pour the olive oil into a deep pan (with a lid) and warm over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, jalapeños and chilli flakes to the hot oil; cook until softened and light brown, about 10 minutes.
Pour the prepared tomato sauce into the pan with the onion mixture; Bring to a boil.
Once the sauce is boiling, immediately lower the heat to a simmer. With the sauce at a gentle simmer, carefully crack an egg, first into a small saucer or ramekin. Using a spoon or ladle, press out a place for the egg to rest, then gently pour it out of the bowl into the sauce. Repeat with each egg, one by one into the tomato sauce.
Season the eggs with salt and pepper, to taste, then cover the sauce with a lid. Cook the eggs until they have set and they are as firm as you like them. The eggs are done when the whites turn opaque white and the yolks are only slightly runny.
I like it when the whites set but the yolks are still quite runny about 3 to 5 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the eggs, they will continue to cook while the sauce is hot.
Remove the pan from the heat. Carefully ladle a couple of eggs and sauce into a bowl; sprinkle with cheese. Allow the sauce to cool slightly. Serve with a cheese crusted bread.
Serve the Eggs in Hell with the Mozzarella Herb Garlic Bread I told you about last week. This bread is great for sopping up this luscious bowl of goodness.
Eggs In Hell
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion coarsely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 3 jalapeño peppers seeded and cut into ¼-inch dice
- 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
- 3 cups tomato sauce
- 4 large eggs
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- parmesan cheese freshly grated, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Pour the olive oil into a deep pan (with a lid) and warm over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, jalapeños and chilli flakes to the hot oil; cook until softened and light brown, about 10 minutes.
- Pour the prepared tomato sauce into the pan with the onion mixture; Bring to a boil.
- Once the sauce is boiling, immediately lower the heat to a simmer. With the sauce at a gentle simmer, carefully crack an egg, first into a small saucer or ramekin. Using a spoon or ladle, press out a place for the egg to rest, then gently pour it out of the bowl into the sauce. Repeat with each egg, one by one into the tomato sauce. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Cover with a lid and cook until eggs are set as desired. I like it when the whites set but the yolks are still quite runny; about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Carefully ladle a couple of eggs and sauce into a bowl; sprinkle with cheese. Allow the tomato sauce to cool slightly. Serve with a cheese crusted bread.
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