So it seems everyone and their dog is now a fitness influencer sharing their workouts online with you while also baking bread, all while simultaneously going live on Instagram and offering you tips for x, y and z, right?*
I’ll be honest, I am a part of that world, and even I’m tired of it. I love that people are finding a way to control what they can, and for some that means content overload. But when it comes to my mental health, I sometimes need to turn off the news and social media and focus on things in my home for my family and I.
*I should note that the above statement is meant to be a playful jab at an industry I love and people I adore. And if you take offense to it because you identify with it, I apologize. If we can’t laugh at ourselves, this is going to feel like a much longer process than it needs to be.
That being said, even I – mr. always sharing something on social media – get a little overwhelmed with everyone trying to be everything all the time right now. When the current world climate feels to be a bit heavy, I find that writing, reading and cooking are ways in which I can focus my attention and my energy in healthy manners.
Being that every day is brunch worthy now, I find myself getting more and more inventive with the offerings I have waiting for Julio when he decides to get out of bed in the morning. Using some local ingredients and brands I love, I thought it would be a great chance to share a recipe with you that I am looking forward to enjoying again and again in the coming weeks.
First of all, I have never tried making a Shakshuka at home – funny, because I ordered it often while out with friends. SO, here is a great recipe I have found online and amended to make it my own for you to try! For those of you trying this recipe for the first time, a Shakshuka is a baked egg dish in Tomato sauce. I have opted to make mine with a bit of a spicy flare because we love a little kick, but you can of course make it to your taste.
Daniel’s Shakshuka Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
- 1 jar of Stefano Faita‘s Arrabiata Tomato Sauce
- 5 Brothers Smoked Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese (to taste)
- Pickled or fresh jalapenos chopped (your choice, to taste)
- 1/4 cup of chopped red or gold onion
- 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 6 eggs
- A crusty bread of choice, sliced and lightly toasted
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- To make the spicy tomato sauce, in a large saucepan over low heat, combine the olive oil, onion, garlic and lightly simmer. If you’re a spicy fan like we are, add in jalapenos now as well. Once the onions are translucent, add in Stefano Faita‘s Arrabiata Tomato Sauce. Simmer until for about 15 minutes. Set the sauce aside to cool slightly.
- Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste, adding in large pieces of 5 Brothers Smoked Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese that you can easily break off with your hands or cut using a good knife from ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS Canada.
- When you are ready to make the Shakshuka, pour it into a 9×13-inch glass baking dish, caste iron pan if you have one, or a deep frying pan of choice. If you’re so adventurous, you can also use small soufflé ramekins for individual portions.
- Using the back of a spoon, make a divot for each egg and slide it into the sauce, crack an egg and gently lay into each divot one at a time, so that it doesn’t float on top; leave a little space between each egg.
- Lightly season the eggs with salt and transfer to the oven. Bake until the egg whites are just barely set and the yolks are very loose, about 20 minutes.
- If you like extra cheese, place a small amount on top of each egg before baking or beside the toasted bread.
- Remove from oven and carefully serve, or place on a trivet in the center of the table for one of the best brunch dishes you’ve ever tried.
Don’t forget to grab your latest device from Samsung Canada to snap a photo and send to your friends and family. Or just to be proud and remind yourself of what you’re capable of doing when it feels like everything is too much.
Cooking is meant to be fun and experimental. This is my favourite way to enjoy a Shakshuka, but why not try different sauces and cheeses to spice things up in your own way to your taste.
And of course for some of Stefano’s famous recipes, make sure to click here. And for those of you looking for some inventive dairy substitutions or ways to switch things up, Savour Ontario has got you covered here.
For more behind the scenes of this and other amazing brands I am working with around the world, make sure to follow along with the #DoTheDaniel Instagram account.
Photos: Epicurious, Linda Cross, Daniel Reyes & All Social Media accounts listed above
Don’t forget to be kind & laugh a little more this year
Mobile photos were taken with my Samsung Mobile Device of choice on the Rogers network.
*Please note that this may be a sponsored post and promotional consideration may have been offered by participating brands – our disclosure can be found at all times by clicking here.