Cheese And Shakshuka: The Perfect Melty Pairing

Shakshuka is a popular Middle Eastern dish of eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce. It is often served with cheese, and there are many types that pair well with the dish, including feta, goat's cheese, mozzarella, gouda, and parmesan. For those who like their shakshuka extra cheesy, a stringy cheese like Jarlsberg is a good option.

Mozzarella, feta, and goat's cheese are all popular options

Shakshuka is a simple dish of poached eggs in a spiced tomato sauce, often served with bread. The addition of cheese makes the dish even more comforting and indulgent.

Mozzarella is a popular choice, as it melts beautifully and adds a gooey, stretchy texture to the dish. Feta, on the other hand, adds a salty, tangy flavour and a creamy texture. Goat's cheese is also a great option, as it has a similar creamy texture and a mild, nutty flavour.

When making shakshuka, you can choose to add the cheese directly to the sauce, or sprinkle it on top before serving. Some recipes call for baking the dish in the oven, which can help to melt the cheese and create a more cohesive dish.

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1-2 red bell peppers, diced
• Garlic, to taste
• Spices (cumin, paprika, cayenne, etc.)
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 4-6 eggs
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh herbs (cilantro, parsley, basil), for serving
• Bread, for serving

Optional cheeses:

• Mozzarella
• Feta
• Goat cheese

Instructions:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent.
• Add the bell pepper and any other vegetables you are using (such as mushrooms or jalapeños). Cook until softened.
• Add the garlic and spices, and cook until fragrant.
• Pour in the can of diced tomatoes and their juices. Use a wooden spoon to break up the tomatoes if needed.
• Simmer the tomato mixture until it thickens and reduces, about 10-20 minutes.
• Create small indentations in the sauce and carefully crack an egg into each indentation. You can use as many eggs as you like, depending on the number of servings.
• At this point, you can sprinkle your chosen cheese (mozzarella, feta, or goat cheese) over the eggs and sauce.
• Cover the skillet and cook until the eggs are done to your liking. You can also transfer the skillet to a hot oven to bake the eggs instead.
• Serve the shakshuka with fresh herbs and bread on the side for dipping.

Feel free to adjust the spices and ingredients to your taste, and don't be afraid to experiment with different types of cheese!

You can also use Parmesan, Jarlsberg, or Monterey Jack

Beyond Feta: Parmesan, Jarlsberg, and Monterey Jack

Shakshuka is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of cheeses. While feta is a popular choice, you can also use Parmesan, Jarlsberg, or Monterey Jack to create delicious variations. These cheeses offer distinct flavours and textures that can elevate your shakshuka to the next level.

Parmesan

Parmesan is a hard Italian cheese with a strong, nutty flavour. When shredded and sprinkled on top of shakshuka, it adds a savoury note that complements the dish's other ingredients. In addition to its flavour, Parmesan also provides a textural contrast to the soft eggs and tomato sauce. For a more indulgent touch, try shaving thin slices of Parmesan over the dish just before serving. This will give your shakshuka a more elegant presentation and a slightly different texture.

Jarlsberg

Jarlsberg is a mild, nutty Swiss cheese with a creamy texture and excellent melting properties. It is an ideal choice for shakshuka because it melts beautifully into the tomato sauce, creating a stringy, stretchy effect that is both visually appealing and delicious. The mild flavour of Jarlsberg also means it won't overpower the other ingredients in the dish. If you're looking for a cheese that will add a touch of decadence without stealing the show, Jarlsberg is a great option.

Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is a semi-soft American cheese with a mild, buttery flavour. It is an excellent melting cheese, making it perfect for shakshuka. When shredded and sprinkled over the dish, it melts quickly and evenly, adding a creamy texture and a subtle savoury note. Monterey Jack is a versatile cheese that works well with a variety of ingredients, so it's a great choice if you're looking for a crowd-pleaser.

Final Thoughts

While feta is a classic choice for shakshuka, don't be afraid to experiment with different cheeses. Parmesan, Jarlsberg, and Monterey Jack each bring something unique to the dish, whether it's a nutty flavour, a stringy texture, or a subtle savoury note. So, the next time you're making shakshuka, why not step outside your comfort zone and give one of these cheeses a try? You might just find your new favourite combination.

Crumble feta over the top, or mix it into the sauce

Feta is a popular choice of cheese to add to shakshuka. It can be crumbled over the top of the dish, or mixed into the sauce.

If you want to add feta to your shakshuka, you can follow a similar method to making a standard shakshuka. Start by sautéing sliced onion and pepper in olive oil until soft. Then, add garlic and spices such as cumin, paprika, cayenne, and black pepper. Next, add tinned tomatoes and let the mixture cook down to a sauce. You can also add tomato paste and water to create a more liquid sauce.

Once the sauce is ready, you can add the eggs. Make small indentations in the sauce and gently crack an egg into each space. Season the eggs and then bake in the oven until the eggs are cooked to your liking. Finally, sprinkle feta over the top of the dish, or mix it into the sauce.

Feta is a great option to add a salty flavour to shakshuka. It can be crumbled over the top to add a creamy texture to each bite, or mixed into the sauce for a more consistent flavour throughout the dish.

Cheese shakshuka can taste just like pizza

Shakshuka is a popular Middle Eastern dish of eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce, often served with pita or crusty bread. But did you know that adding cheese to shakshuka can make it taste just like pizza?

Cheese shakshuka is a delicious and easy-to-make variation of the traditional dish. It is made with stringy, melted cheese, usually Jarlsberg, mozzarella, or feta, added to the tomato sauce. The addition of cheese creates a beautiful effect when combined with the tomato sauce and gives the dish a stringy, stretchable texture.

To make cheese shakshuka, start by sautéing onions and peppers in a pan with olive oil until they are soft. Then, add spices such as cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper, followed by diced tomatoes. Let the mixture cook until it thickens and the excess water evaporates.

Next, create little nests in the sauce and carefully add the eggs, one egg per nest. Close the lid and cook for a couple of minutes. Finally, sprinkle grated cheese between the yolks, mix it into the sauce, and cook until the cheese is melted.

Serve cheese shakshuka with fresh bread, such as challah or focaccia, and enjoy the delicious combination of flavours that will remind you of pizza!

So, if you're looking for a tasty and comforting breakfast, lunch, or dinner option, why not give cheese shakshuka a try? It might just become your new favourite dish!

Shakshuka is a North African dish, but it's also popular in Israel

Shakshuka is a delicious, spicy, and savory North African dish that is also popular in Israel. It is believed to have been introduced to Israel by Libyan and Tunisian Jews who immigrated there during the 1950s. This dish is typically made by poaching eggs in a tomato sauce with onions, garlic, and spices. It is often served in a cast-iron skillet with crusty bread on the side for dipping.

While there are many variations of shakshuka, one of the most popular and distinctive ingredients is cheese. The type of cheese used can vary, but some common options include feta, goat cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan. For instance, a recipe from The New York Times suggests sprinkling the dish "liberally" with feta, but notes that mozzarella, Gouda, and Monterey Jack are also good substitutes. Another recipe recommends a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan, while a third source suggests Jarlsberg cheese, which is known for its mild, nutty flavor and excellent melting properties.

Shakshuka is a versatile dish that can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is a simple yet flavorful meal that can be adapted to suit different tastes and preferences. The addition of cheese makes it even more indulgent and satisfying.

Whether you enjoy it with feta, mozzarella, or another variety of cheese, shakshuka is a delightful dish that is sure to impress and satisfy.

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