This creamy risotto with asparagus and peas makes a lovely starter, side dish, or vegetarian main course for spring. Comforting to eat — and comforting to make, in a mindless, repetitive sort of way — risotto is a northern Italian rice dish cooked gently until it reaches a creamy consistency. Most people think of it as a restaurant-style dish, but it’s actually quite simple to make with just a few ingredients. The only thing to keep in mind is that it requires frequent stirring, so you need to stay close to the stove for 25 minutes while it cooks. This spring risotto calls for seasonal vegetables but there’s lots of room for creativity and improvisation. Don’t feel like asparagus? Substitute zucchini or mushrooms. Going vegetarian? Replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth. Want to fancy it up? Stir in some fresh herbs at the end. You really can’t go wrong as long as you stick to the basic formula. Serve this spring risotto as a meatless main course or as a side to a simply cooked main dish, like pan-seared salmon or perfectly grilled chicken breasts. How To Make Spring Risotto with Asparagus & Peas Before we get to the step-by-step instructions, a few words about the ingredients: All risotto recipes begin with Arborio rice, a short-grained, high-starch Italian rice that becomes creamy and slightly chewy when cooked. You can find it in the rice section of most supermarkets. White wine is a key ingredient in risotto, as it adds nice depth of flavor. However, if you’d prefer not use it, replace it with more broth and add a squeeze of lemon at the end. It’s important to use low-sodium broth when making risotto. The broth reduces while it cooks, intensifying the saltiness. Step-by Step Instructions The first step to cooking risotto is to bring your broth to a simmer. It’s important that the broth is hot before you add it to the rice, as cold broth will cool the pan down and slow the cooking process. While the broth heats up, melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven (it’s important to use a large cooking vessel, as the rice will increase in volume when cooked). Add the asparagus and cook until tender-crisp, a few minutes. Add the peas and cook for 1 minute more, until they are defrosted. Transfer the vegetables to a plate and set aside. You’ll add them back to the risotto at the very end. Cooking the vegetables first ensures that they don’t overcook. In the same pot over medium-low heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and add the onions. Cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Then, add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Do not brown. Add the Arborio rice to the onions and garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, until glossy and translucent around the edges, about 3 minutes. This step of toasting the rice in fat adds depth of flavor and also prevents the grains from becoming mushy during the cooking process. Add the wine and cook until completely absorbed, about 1 minute. Ladle about 1 cup of the simmering broth into the rice. Cook, stirring occasionally, until absorbed. Continue adding the broth, 1 cup at a time and stirring until it is absorbed, until the rice is tender, about 25 minutes. You don’t need to stir constantly; just check on it every few minutes to stir and prevent sticking. You’ll know it’s done when the rice al dente — just cooked, still with a little bite to it. Add the reserved vegetables, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and remaining tablespoon of butter to the risotto. Stir, then taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, if necessary. If the risotto is too thick, thin it with a bit of milk. Spoon into bowls and serve with more cheese. If you have leftover risotto, I highly recommend making risotto cakes. They are quite possibly even better than the actual risotto! You don’t need a recipe: simply mix the leftover cold risotto with a generous handful of shredded cheese. Use a cheese that melts well, such as fontina, Cheddar, Gruyère, or mozzarella. Scoop up about 1/3 cup of the risotto at a time and shape into patties about 3/4 inch thick and 3 inches wide. Coat the risotto cakes in panko, then fry in olive oil over medium heat until golden and crisp, about 3 minutes per side.   Note: This recipe has been written by Jenn Segal and republished on MudMatter with Author’s Permission. Please find the original link here – Spring Risotto with Asparagus & Peas.

Craving restaurant-quality pad Thai? Using easy-to-find ingredients and this simple recipe, you can make it at home! Pad Thai is a popular stir-fried noodle dish that originated in Thailand, where it’s commonly enjoyed as a quick and easy street food. Today, it’s a popular Thai restaurant dish in many parts of the world. If you love this noodle dish as much as I do, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s surprisingly easy to make in your own kitchen. While traditional pad Thai calls for a daunting list of hard-to-find ingredients, from tamarind liquid and dried shrimp to pickled white radishes and garlic chives, a simplified “Westernized” version can be just as delicious with a few ingredient substitutions (yes, that’s why the recipe strangely calls for ketchup!). Pad Thai is made with rice noodles, which can usually be found in the Asian or Thai food section of most large supermarkets. It’s important to note that the process of cooking rice noodles is different from cooking other types of pasta. To start, fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, remove the pot from the heat and add the rice noodles. Allow them to soak in the hot water for 5 to 10 minutes, or until they become tender yet still chewy. Once done, drain the noodles in a colander and rinse them briefly under cold water to remove any excess starch. From there, it’s just a matter of stir-frying the noodles with the other pad Thai ingredients. What you’ll need to make pad thai Step-by-Step Instructions Step 1: Soak the Rice Noodles Bring a large pot or wide skillet of water to a boil. Off the heat, add the noodles. Briefly swish them around to separate them, then let sit, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the noodles are soft and pliable but still not tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse well with cold water. Set aside. Step 2: Cook the Pad Thai In a small bowl, beat the eggs with a pinch of salt. Set aside. Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the water, fish sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large nonstick pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and season with ⅛ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, for two minutes. Add the garlic and light green scallions and cook, stirring constantly, until softened and the shrimp are cooked through, about 1 minute more. Transfer the shrimp, garlic, and scallions to a large plate, using a rubber spatula to scrape the pan clean. To the pan, add 1 teaspoon of oil to the hot pan. Add the eggs and scramble until cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the eggs to the plate with the shrimp. Add 2 tablespoons of oil to the hot pan. Place the drained noodles in the pan, along with the sauce mixture. Cook, tossing the noodles gently so as not to break them, until the liquid is absorbed by the noodles and the noodles are cooked through, a few minutes. If the noodles are still firm to the bite when the sauce is absorbed, add a few tablespoons of water and continue cooking. Add the contents of the plate and the dark green scallions to the noodles and toss gently to combine, until everything is warmed through. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Transfer to a serving platter and top with peanuts, bean sprouts, and cilantro (if using). Serve with lime wedges, if desired.   Note: This recipe has been written by Jenn Segal and republished on MudMatter with Author’s Permission. Please find the original link here – Pad Thai.

Take your homemade pizzas to the next level with this easy and delicious pizza dough recipe, made with only five simple ingredients. For a perfect crust on your homemade pizza, stromboli, or calzones, making your own pizza dough is the best choice. This simple process requires just five key ingredients: flour, salt, yeast, oil, and water. The dough takes only 10 minutes to mix and knead. Once combined, let the dough rise for at least 90 minutes in a warm, draft-free area before using it. This recipe yields 2 pounds of dough, enough for two large pizzas, four individual pizzas, two stromboli, or four calzones. You can prepare the dough up to two days ahead of time, and it also freezes well for later use. What you’ll need to make pizza dough Olive Oil: Adds richness to the dough and helps it crisp up beautifully in the oven. Salt: Provides essential flavor for the dough. Cornmeal: Used to dust the baking sheet, preventing the dough from sticking while baking, and adds a bit of extra crispiness and flavor to the crust. Yeast: Essential for making the dough rise. Instant yeast (also known as rapid-rise, quick-rise, or bread machine yeast) works best, though active dry yeast can also be used. If using active dry yeast, expect the rising time to take about 50% longer. You can activate it by rehydrating it in liquid before use (see the recipe for detailed instructions). Step-By-Step Instructions Mix the Dough To begin, combine the flour, yeast, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Stir with a spoon to combine, and then add the oil and warm water. Stir until the dough comes together into a shaggy mass. Knead the Dough Fit the mixer with the dough hook and knead on medium-low speed until the dough is smooth and elastic, 5 to 7 minutes. (Alternatively, you can knead the dough by hand.) Let the Dough Rise Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled large bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel, and let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours. There are a number of options that will work as places to let your dough rise: a sunny spot in your house, next to a heating vent (during colder months), or even on top of a kitchen appliance that generates a bit of heat as it runs (like your fridge). If you’re lucky enough to have a proof setting in your oven, use that. If not, but you’d like to use your oven, switch on the oven’s internal light; it will generate enough warmth to provide a good environment for the dough to rise. After the dough has risen, punch it down. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Cut the dough in half and roll each piece into a ball. If you’re not using the pizza dough right away, lightly coat the dough ball(s) with olive oil. Place into freezer bag(s) and seal shut, squeezing out all the air. Refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to use, let the dough sit out on the countertop for 30 minutes to warm up before stretching. Cover the dough with a damp kitchen towel and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes. As you can see, it will rise a bit. Shape the Dough When it comes time to shape the pizza dough for baking, you can stretch it into any shape, size, or thickness you like (just keep in mind that a thicker crust will take longer to bake). Simply press and stretch the dough using your hands, dusting with more flour if necessary.   General Baking Instructions Every pizza recipe is a little different, but as a general guideline: Preheat the oven to 500°F and set an oven rack in the bottom position. Dust a 13×18-inch baking sheet lightly with cornmeal. Place the stretched dough on the baking sheet, and gently stretch it out again so that it maintains its shape. Spread your sauce over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges. Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes, until the crust is partially cooked. Remove from the oven and scatter the cheese and toppings over the sauce. Slide the pan back into the oven and cook until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling, 4 to 6 minutes more. To Refrigerate or Freeze The Pizza Dough If you’re not using the pizza dough right away, follow these steps for storing it. After the initial rise, lightly coat the dough ball(s) with olive oil. Place the dough into freezer bag(s), seal them shut, and remove as much air as possible. You can store the dough in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you're ready to use it, let the dough sit out on the countertop for about 30 minutes to warm up before stretching. For longer storage, the dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. To use frozen dough, simply defrost it in the refrigerator overnight (or for at least 12 hours). After defrosting, let it sit on the countertop for about 30 minutes to warm up before stretching and continuing with your pizza recipe.   Note: This recipe was updated in January 2022 to make a slightly larger quantity. To see the original recipe, click here.  Please find the original link here – Pizza Dough.

Filled with meaty shiitakes, crunchy broccoli, and sweet bell peppers, this Chinese vegetable stir-fry always satisfies. As much as I know it’s true, I’m always amazed by how quick and easy it is to make excellent Chinese food at home. This Chinese vegetable stir-fry is filled with meaty shiitake mushrooms, crunchy broccoli, and sweet bell peppers in a gingery, garlicky brown sauce. Go ahead and buy your veggies ready-cut if possible to minimize prep time. And, as with any stir-fry, be sure to have all of your ingredients ready before you start cooking because it comes together quickly. The dish easily serves four as a side but if you’re making it as a vegetarian main course, count on two or three servings. What you’ll need to make a Chinese Vegetable Stir-Fry Step-by-Step Instructions Before you get started, chop the scallions, ginger, and garlic. You’ll need them at your fingertips once you start cooking. Next, whisk the soy sauce, water, dry sherry, sesame oil, sugar, cornstarch, red pepper flakes and dry mustard in a small bowl. Set aside. In a large nonstick skillet, bring 1 inch of water to a rapid boil. Add the broccoli and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until tender-crisp. (Blanching the broccoli ensures that it is perfectly cooked and bright green.) Strain the broccoli in a colander and then run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside and allow to fully drain. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in the skillet over high heat. Add the shiitake mushrooms and red peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-6 minutes, until the mushrooms are browned and the peppers are softened. Add the garlic, light-colored scallions, and ginger and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Return the broccoli to the pan and cook until warmed through, about 1 minute. Add the reserved sauce. Toss and cook until the sauce is slightly thickened and the vegetables are evenly coated, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with the dark green scallions. Serve with rice, if desired, and enjoy!   Note: This recipe has been written by Jenn Segal and republished on MudMatter with Author’s Permission. Please find the original link here – Chinese Vegetable Stir-Fry.

A variation on the classic French cheese quiche, this Parmesan and leek quiche is rich and flavorful. When I was studying abroad in France, every day for lunch I would walk to the pastry shop near my university and treat myself to an individual quiche fromage — a delicious little habit that quickly cost me all my skinny jeans. Over 20 years later, it is still one of my favorite things to eat. This parmesan and leek quiche is a wonderful variation on the classic French cheese quiche; the leeks impart a mellow, almost sweet onion flavor while Parmesan cheese makes the custard filling extra flavorful. What You’ll Need To Make Parmesan & Leek Quiche I use a good-quality store-bought crust to save time but feel free to make your own if you prefer. The secret to success, whether you make the crust yourself or use pre-made, is to pre-bake it so it won’t be soggy. For the cheese, it’s important to use authentic Parmigiano Reggiano cheese for this recipe. You can always tell if it’s authentic by looking at the rind, which is embossed with the name over and over. If the cheese is already grated, it should be labeled “Parmigiano Reggiano,” not “Parmesan.” Leeks are part of the onion family, but they have a milder flavor. They’re notoriously sandy and dirty (and very good at hiding it) so it’s important to wash them well. To clean them, cut off and discard the root ends and thick dark green parts, then cut the leeks in half lengthwise. Rinse each half under cold water, pulling apart the layers to remove any grit that’s tucked inside. How To Make Parmesan & Leek Quiche To begin, preheat the oven to 400°F. Remove the pie shell from the freezer and thaw it until just soft enough to easily prick with a fork (10 to 20 minutes). Prick the bottom and sides all over with a fork and bake on the center rack until lightly golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Turn the oven down to 325°F. While the crust bakes, melt the butter in small sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the leeks and season with a bit of salt and pepper. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until very soft, about 15 minutes. Do not brown. Taste and adjust seasoning (they should be well-seasoned). Set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, combine the heavy cream, eggs, thyme, nutmeg, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Whisk well. Spread the cooked leeks over the pre-baked pie shell, taking care not to puncture the crust. Pour the egg mixture over top. Bake at 325°F for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the custard is set and puffed. The quiche will deflate as it cools. Slice into wedges and serve hot or warm.   Note: This recipe has been written by Jenn Segal and republished on MudMatter with Author’s Permission. Please find the original link here – Parmesan & Leek Quiche.

Stuffed with baby spinach and two kinds of cheese, this spinach frittata makes a lovely brunch, lunch, or light dinner. Filled with heaps of baby spinach and two kinds of cheese, this spinach frittata tastes nutritious and rich, all at the same time. It’s silkier and more quiche-like than most frittatas, which are usually just glorified omelets with the fillings mixed in rather than stuffed inside. The key is adding heavy cream and lots of cheese to the egg mixture. It’s also important to bake the frittata in a low-temperature oven (as opposed to the traditional stovetop-to-broiler method), so the eggs cook gently into a custard without scrambling. This frittata can be served for brunch, lunch, or a light dinner – and since it’s good warm or at room temperature, leftovers can be packed for lunch or taken on a picnic. What You’ll Need To Make Spinach Frittata Step-by-Step Instructions Heat the oil in a 10-inch ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Do not brown. Add half of the spinach and cook until wilted down, about 1 minute. Add the remaining spinach and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and continue cooking until all of the spinach is wilted, 1 to 2 minutes more. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the eggs, heavy cream, pepper, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk to combine. Add the cooked spinach mixture, Cheddar, Parmigiano Reggiano, and basil to the egg mixture. Stir to combine. Pour the mixture back into the pan (no need to wash it). Place the pan in the oven and bake until set, 20 to 23 minutes. Immediately place an oven mitt over the pan handle to remind yourself that it is hot (it’s easy to forget and burn your hand, and the handle stays hot for a long time). Serve the frittata directly from the pan, or use a rubber spatula to loosen the edges and slide the frittata onto a serving platter.   Note: This recipe has been written by Jenn Segal and republished on MudMatter with Author’s Permission. Please find the original link here – Spinach Frittata.

Based on Marcella Hazan’s famous recipe, this is a simple and rich homemade tomato sauce. I admit that I have an entire shelf in my pantry devoted to my favorite jarred tomato sauce, but when tomatoes are in season and I’ve got a little extra time, I love to make tomato sauce from scratch. It’s so delicious and always makes me wonder how I can ever eat that run-of-the-mill jarred stuff! My go-to recipe is based on cookbook author Marcella Hazan’s famously simple tomato butter sauce, although I’ve tweaked it over the years to make it my own. It’s such a rich and flavorful sauce, it doesn’t even need Parmesan cheese when tossed with pasta. If fresh tomatoes aren’t in season or you want to save time, feel free to use canned whole peeled tomatoes; just avoid canned diced tomatoes, as they are treated with a chemical that prevents them from fully breaking down. What you’ll need to make Homemade tomato sauce Step-By-Step Instructions Begin by scoring the tomatoes with an X on one end. Don’t cut too deep – about 1/4 inch is good. Place the tomatoes in boiling water and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the skins start to peel back. Be careful not to cook too long, or the tomatoes will become soft and difficult to handle. Plunge the tomatoes into an ice-cold water bath to stop the cooking process. Transfer the tomatoes to a cutting board and peel the skins off. Cut the tomatoes into 1/2-inch chunks. Place the chopped tomatoes, along with all of their seeds and juices, into a large Dutch oven or saucepan, along with the butter, olive oil, onions, garlic, salt and sugar. Bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 hours, until the sauce is no longer watery. Remove the onion and discard. Use a wooden spoon or potato masher to smash any large chunks of tomatoes or garlic to make a slightly chunky and thick sauce. Before serving, stir in the basil. The sauce will keep in the refrigerator for about 4 days, or can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.   Note: This recipe has been written by Jenn Segal and republished on MudMatter with Author’s Permission. Please find the original link here – Homemade Tomato Sauce.

This spaghetti and meatball recipe is the ultimate weeknight family dinner — quick, easy, and picky eater-approved! This is my go-to recipe for spaghetti and meatballs. With a quick 45-minute cook time, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and sure to please even the pickiest eaters. The meatballs are juicy and packed with flavor, with a fork-tender texture that keeps everyone coming back for more. To make things easy and save on mess, I brown the meatballs in the oven on a sheet pan instead of pan-frying them on the stovetop. I also use a good quality store-bought marinara sauce to save time, but feel free to use homemade tomato sauce if you have some on hand. What You’ll Need To Make Spaghetti and Meatballs For the most flavorful meatballs (or meatloaf), I recommend using equal parts beef, veal, and pork; at most supermarkets, this blend is labeled “meatloaf mix.” If your market doesn’t carry the blend, you can use half beef and half pork (since ground veal isn’t readily available). For the cheese, be sure to use the real-deal imported Parmigiano-Reggiano from Italy; domestic Parmesan pales in comparison. You can always tell if it’s authentic by looking at the rind, which is embossed with the name over and over. If the cheese is already grated, it should be labeled “Parmigiano-Reggiano,” not “Parmesan.” Step-by-Step Instructions Begin with the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the egg, basil, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic and water; whisk well. Add the meat, breadcrumbs and Parmigiano Reggiano. meatball recipe Mix with your hands until just combined. Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs, and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, then remove the baking sheet from the oven and use a metal spatula or tongs to turn the meatballs (they will stick a bit but should release easily when you scrape under them with the spatula). Put the meatballs back in the oven and cook for another 10 minutes, until they are nicely browned and almost cooked through. In the meantime, bring the marinara sauce to a simmer in a large skillet. Taste it and adjust the seasoning if necessary (I usually add a healthy pinch of sugar and some freshly ground black pepper). Transfer the browned meatballs to the marinara sauce, leaving the fat behind. Cover loosely with a lid or foil and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the flavors marry and the meatballs are cooked through. Keep warm until ready to toss with pasta. While the meatballs are cooking, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente. Drain, then toss with the sauce and meatballs. Transfer the spaghetti and meatballs to serving bowls and top with fresh chopped basil and more grated cheese.   Note: This recipe has been written by Jenn Segal and republished on MudMatter with Author’s Permission. Please find the original link here – Spaghetti and Meatballs.

Homemade pesto sauce is easy to make, and it’s good on just about everything, from pastas to pizzas to salads. One of my favorite things about summer cooking is stepping out my back door to pick fresh herbs from my potted herb garden. It always amazes me how the tiny seedlings I plant in May grow into more herbs than I can possibly use up in August. Right now, my basil plant is overflowing, which means it’s time to make pesto sauce. Pesto, or pesto alla genovese, is a vibrant, garlicky green sauce that originated in Genoa, Italy. It’s traditionally made with a mortar and pestle, but most modern versions call for using a food processor. Pesto is a versatile sauce that can be used on just about everything, from pastas to sandwiches to salads. It freezes well, too. What You’ll Need To Make Pesto Sauce Traditional pesto is made with garlic, nuts, salt, basil leaves, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and extra-virgin olive oil. It’s important to use top-quality ingredients, as the flavors really shine through.   For the cheese, be sure to use authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano from Italy; domestic Parmesan is not the same thing. You can always tell if the cheese is authentic by looking at the rind, which is embossed with the name over and over. If the cheese is already grated, it should be labeled “Parmigiano-Reggiano,” not “Parmesan.” For the nuts, I use walnuts instead of the more traditional pine nuts for a few reasons. First, I always seem to have walnuts in the house (pine nuts can be very pricey). Second, in recent years an increasing number of people, including me, have fallen prey to a bizarre problem with pine nuts called Pine Mouth Syndrome, a bitter, metallic taste in the mouth that develops a day or two after eating pine nuts. It can last for weeks and make eating or drinking anything very unpleasant. (You can use pecans or almonds, too.) Step-by-Step Instructions To begin, combine the walnuts and garlic in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add the basil leaves, salt, and pepper. Process until finely chopped. Then, with the food processor running, add the olive oil through the feed tube in a steady stream. Add the Parmigiano-Reggiano. Process again until smooth, and that’s your pesto sauce. How To Store & Freeze Pesto Use the pesto immediately or store it in a tightly sealed jar or air-tight plastic container, covered with a thin layer of olive oil (this seals out the air and prevents the sauce from oxidizing, which would turn it an ugly brown color). It will keep in the refrigerator for about a week. Pesto can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 6 months. I suggest dividing it into the compartments of an ice cube tray and freezing. Once frozen, remove the cubes from the tray and put in a sealable plastic bag or airtight container. You can add the defrosted cubes to summer vegetable soup, pasta salad with pesto, zucchini noodles, pesto pizza, eggs, sandwiches, and baked potatoes.   Note: This recipe has been written by Jenn Segal and republished on MudMatter with Author’s Permission. Please find the original link here – Pesto Sauce.

Shakshuka is a one-skillet dish of eggs poached in a smoky, spicy, vegetable-laden tomato sauce. Popular throughout the Middle East, particularly in Israel (where it ranks right up there with falafel and hummus as one of Israel’s most-loved dishes), shakshuka is one-skillet dish of eggs gently poached in a smoky, spicy tomato and vegetable sauce. The dish was brought to Israel by Jewish immigrants from North Africa and variations abound. One popular version called green shakshuka replaces the tomato sauce with a rich spinach and cream sauce loaded with green vegetables. My version is traditional, with a few small tweaks that take it up a notch. I add a splash of heavy cream to marry the acidity of the tomatoes with the richness of the eggs – it makes all the difference – and I also sprinkle crumbled feta on top. Shakshuka is traditionally made in a cast iron pan and is simple to prepare. You start by making the sauce on the stovetop, then you gently crack the eggs into wells in the sauce and cook briefly before finishing the dish under the broiler. It’s the ultimate breakfast-for-dinner dish, but it can be served any time of day. Toasted buttered bread for mopping up the sauce and runny yolks is a must. What You’ll Need To Make Shakshuka Step-by-Step Instructions Begin by chopping the onions, peppers, and garlic. Be sure not to chop the garlic too finely or it will burn. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic and bell pepper. Cook, uncovered, for about 8 minutes, until softened. Add the smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, red pepper flakes, 1-1/4 teaspoons of the salt, sugar, and tomatoes. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce is slightly thickened. While the sauce cooks, chop the greens. Add the chopped greens and heavy cream to the sauce, and continue cooking, uncovered, until the greens are soft and wilted, about 10 minutes more. Turn off (or remove the pan from) the heat. Then, using a spoon, make 6 wells/indentations in the sauce. Carefully crack an egg into each well, then spoon a bit of the sauce over the egg whites (this will contain them and also help them cook a bit faster than the yolks), being careful not to disturb the yolks. Sprinkle the eggs with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. And then sprinkle the feta around the eggs. Set the pan on the stove over low heat and cover with a lid. Cook until the egg whites are mostly set but still translucent on top, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the pan to the oven and broil until the eggs are cooked to your liking, 1 minute or less for runny yolks. Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the cilantro over top. Serve hot with bread.   Note: This recipe has been written by Jenn Segal and republished on MudMatter with Author’s Permission. Please find the original link here – Shakshuka.