🍅 Shakshuka: The One-Pan Wonder You’ll Want to Wake Up To

There’s something deeply comforting about waking up to the smell of tomatoes sizzling in a pan, the earthy hit of cumin in the air, and the soft sizzle of eggs being poached right on top. That’s the magic of shakshuka, a warm, spicy, and utterly satisfying dish that has found a home on breakfast tables from North Africa to the Middle East, and now, right here in our Kenyan kitchens.

Whether you're cooking for a lazy Sunday brunch or need a quick weeknight dinner, shakshuka is that perfect blend of flavour and simplicity.

🥘 What You’ll Need:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or your favourite cooking oil)

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 2–3 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon cumin

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional, but lovely if you like a little kick)

• 5–6 ripe tomatoes, chopped (or one tin of chopped tomatoes)

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• 4 eggs

• Fresh dhania or parsley, chopped for garnish

• Bread, chapati or even ndazi for dipping!

🍳 Let’s Make It:

Start with a good base

Heat your oil in a pan. Add the onions and let them soften, then toss in the bell pepper. Stir occasionally until everything looks golden and smells sweet.

Bring in the flavour

Add garlic, cumin, paprika and chili flakes. Give it all a good stir, then pour in your tomatoes. Let it simmer until thick—like a rich stew.

Make room for the eggs

Using a spoon, make little wells in the sauce and crack an egg into each. Cover the pan and let it cook until the whites are just set but the yolks are still runny (or more if you like them well done).

Finish strong

Sprinkle with dhania, and serve straight from the pan. Add some warm bread or chapati on the side—because you’ll want to mop up every bit of that sauce.

Why we love it:

Shakshuka is fuss-free, meatless, and budget-friendly. Plus, it feels fancy even though it’s so easy. And with fresh, in-season tomatoes available in local markets, now’s the time to try it.

So next time you’re not sure what to make, skip the same old scrambled eggs and shake things up with shakshuka.