Shakshouka Focaccia combines the rich, spicy flavors of shakshouka with the soft, pillowy goodness of focaccia bread. This recipe takes the concept of a bread bowl to the next level, with the shakshouka sauce poured into a focaccia dough base, topped with eggs, and baked to perfection. It’s a fun, flavorful, and hearty dish perfect for brunch or any meal of the day.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Focaccia Dough:

• 3 cups room temperature water

• ½ tsp active dry yeast

• 6¾ cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp sugar

• 2 tsp kosher salt

For the Matbucha (Spicy Tomato Sauce):

• 12 tomatoes on the vine (peeled) or 2 (28 oz) cans whole peeled tomatoes

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

• 1 or 2 jalapeno peppers (seeded and quartered)

• 1 tbsp + 1 tsp kosher salt

• 1 tsp sugar

For the Shakshouka Focaccia:

• Flour, for shaping

• Olive oil, as needed

• ¼ cup black sesame seeds or nigella seeds

• 6 large eggs

• Sea salt, as needed

• Parsley, finely chopped for garnish

Directions

For the Focaccia Dough:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the yeast, flour, sugar, and salt. Mix with your hands until the dough is smooth with no clumps. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for about 30 minutes.

2. After the dough has rested, drizzle olive oil onto your hands. Stretch and fold a quarter of the dough over itself. Repeat this process three more times to make a 360-degree turn around the dough.

3. Let the dough rest for 20 minutes, and repeat the folding process. Allow it to rest for another 20 minutes.

For the Matbucha:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or saucepan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and jalapenos, cooking for about 5-7 minutes until the garlic turns golden.

2. Lower the heat and crush the tomatoes by hand, adding them to the pan. Stir in salt and sugar, and cook the mixture for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens into a jam-like consistency. Set aside.

For the Shakshouka Focaccia:

1. On a floured surface, stretch the dough into a 14 x 8-inch rectangle. Divide it into 6 pieces.

2. Shape each piece into a ball and let rise for 30 minutes on a floured pan, covered with a kitchen towel.

3. Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) with a pizza stone or steel inside.

4. Place a piece of parchment paper on a pizza peel and arrange two dough balls on the peel. Drizzle olive oil onto your fingers and press the center of each dough piece, forming a well for the shakshouka sauce.

5. Add ⅓ cup of matbucha to each dough piece, and sprinkle with sesame or nigella seeds. Make a well in the center and crack an egg into each. Sprinkle with salt.

6. Slide the parchment with the shakshouka focaccia onto the preheated pizza stone and bake for 9-10 minutes until the bread is browned and the eggs are cooked.

7. Repeat with the remaining dough balls. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Estimated Nutritional Value (Per Serving)

• Calories: ~400-500 kcal

• Protein: ~12-15 grams

• Fat: ~20-25 grams

  • Saturated Fat: ~3-5 grams

• Carbohydrates: ~45-55 grams

  • Dietary Fiber: ~4-5 grams

  • Sugars: ~6-8 grams

• Cholesterol: ~180-200 mg (from the egg)

• Sodium: ~600-700 mg

• Calcium: ~50-80 mg (from the flour and olive oil)

• Iron: ~2-3 mg (from the flour and sesame seeds)

Breakdown of Ingredients:

• Focaccia Dough: Adds most of the calories and carbs, with some protein.

• Matbucha Sauce: Mostly provides vitamins, fiber, and a bit of natural sugar from the tomatoes.

• Egg: Contributes protein, healthy fats, and cholesterol.

• Sesame Seeds: Adds healthy fats and a bit of protein.

• Olive Oil: Adds healthy fats.

These values will vary depending on the exact quantities and specific brands used for the ingredients. For a more precise nutritional breakdown, using a nutrition calculator based on the exact ingredients and serving sizes would provide a more accurate result.

Shakshouka Focaccia: A Unique Twist on Classic Shakshouka

Shakshouka itself is known for its simplicity and bold flavors, typically made by simmering tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and spices. This Shakshouka Focaccia, however, brings an exciting new dimension to the dish. Instead of serving the shakshouka in a bowl or on a plate, the sauce is poured into the center of a focaccia dough base, topped with eggs and baked in a hot oven. The result is a hearty, fun-to-eat dish that brings the best of both worlds—an Italian-inspired bread bowl with the spicy, savory flavors of shakshouka.

The focaccia dough, once baked, becomes wonderfully soft and slightly crisp on the edges, absorbing the rich tomato sauce and offering a perfect base for the eggs. The spicy matbucha sauce not only adds a vibrant color to the dish but also provides a complex depth of flavor, from the sweetness of the tomatoes to the heat of the jalapenos. The eggs, cracked directly onto the sauce, add richness and texture, creating a satisfying and fulfilling meal.

A Hearty and Flavorful Combination of Ingredients

The foundation of this dish begins with the focaccia dough. Focaccia is known for its light and airy texture, with a slightly crispy crust and soft, chewy interior. This dough is the perfect carrier for the shakshouka sauce, providing a substantial base without overpowering the other ingredients. The dough is flavored with a simple combination of yeast, flour, sugar, and salt, allowing it to rise and create the perfect texture when baked.

The spicy tomato sauce, or matbucha, is the heart of this dish. Made from tomatoes, garlic, and jalapenos, the sauce is simmered for over an hour to thicken and develop a deep, jam-like consistency. The addition of kosher salt and sugar helps balance the flavors, enhancing the natural sweetness of the tomatoes while tempering the heat of the jalapenos. This sauce is the ideal complement to the mild focaccia dough, offering both heat and a burst of umami flavor.

The eggs are the final touch that brings the shakshouka focaccia together. Cracked into the wells of the dough, the eggs cook in the oven, becoming firm on the edges while remaining soft and creamy in the center. The yolk adds a rich, velvety texture that enhances the flavor of the shakshouka sauce. The addition of black sesame seeds or nigella seeds provides a delightful crunch and a subtle, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.

The Focaccia Dough: A Versatile Base

Focaccia bread is a perfect choice for this dish due to its light, airy texture and slight crispness when baked. The dough is easy to make and requires minimal ingredients. The key to a good focaccia is the folding process, where the dough is stretched and folded multiple times, allowing it to develop a light and soft interior while maintaining its structure on the outside. This ensures that the bread holds up well to the shakshouka sauce without becoming soggy.

Focaccia dough is also highly versatile, making it a great option for various toppings and fillings. In this recipe, it serves as the ideal base for the shakshouka sauce and eggs, but you can also experiment with adding herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough, infusing it with additional layers of flavor. The soft, slightly oily texture of the focaccia complements the rich sauce and eggs, making it a hearty and satisfying dish.

Matbucha Sauce: A Spicy and Sweet Tomato Base

Matbucha, a type of tomato sauce used in shakshouka, is what gives this dish its signature spicy and savory flavor. Made with tomatoes, garlic, jalapenos, and a few simple spices, the sauce is cooked down to a thick consistency that adds depth and richness to the dish. The long simmering time allows the flavors to meld together, creating a sauce that’s slightly sweet, tangy, and just spicy enough to provide a kick without overwhelming the palate.

Tomatoes are the star ingredient in matbucha, providing natural sweetness and acidity that balance the spiciness of the jalapenos. The garlic adds a savory depth, while the jalapenos give the sauce a subtle heat that builds as you eat. The use of sugar helps round out the acidity of the tomatoes, resulting in a balanced sauce that complements the creamy eggs and rich focaccia base. The matbucha sauce not only enhances the flavor of the eggs but also serves as a delicious accompaniment to the focaccia, soaking into the bread and infusing it with flavor.

Baking and Assembling the Shakshouka Focaccia

Assembling the shakshouka focaccia is a simple process that results in a visually stunning and delicious dish. After preparing the focaccia dough, it is divided into small pieces, rolled into balls, and allowed to rise. These dough balls are then stretched into small rectangles and arranged on a pizza peel with parchment paper. A well is created in the center of each dough piece, into which the matbucha sauce is poured. The eggs are cracked directly into the sauce, and the dish is baked in a preheated oven until the bread is golden brown, the sauce is bubbling, and the eggs are cooked to your liking.

Baking the shakshouka focaccia at a high temperature allows the dough to rise quickly and crisp up on the edges while remaining soft and pillowy inside. The eggs cook gently in the oven, becoming firm on the edges while the yolks stay slightly runny. The result is a perfectly balanced dish that combines the rich, spicy sauce with the creamy eggs and soft focaccia dough.

Nutritional Benefits of Shakshouka Focaccia

Shakshouka Focaccia provides a satisfying balance of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. The focaccia dough is a good source of carbohydrates, providing energy, while the eggs contribute protein and healthy fats. The matbucha sauce is made with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and jalapenos, which are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. The black sesame seeds or nigella seeds add healthy fats and a bit of protein, making this dish a well-rounded and nourishing meal.

While the shakshouka focaccia is hearty and indulgent, it is also customizable to suit different dietary preferences. For a lighter version, you can use whole wheat flour for the focaccia dough or substitute the eggs with a plant-based alternative. The matbucha sauce can also be adjusted to your preferred level of spice, allowing you to control the heat and flavor.

Conclusion

Shakshouka Focaccia is a unique and flavorful dish that combines the bold, spicy flavors of shakshouka with the soft, pillowy goodness of focaccia bread. The combination of matbucha sauce, eggs, and focaccia creates a deliciously hearty meal that’s perfect for brunch or any time of the day. The dish is easy to prepare, with simple ingredients that come together to create a satisfying and flavorful experience. Whether you’re looking for a fun new way to enjoy shakshouka or simply want to try something different, this shakshouka focaccia will surely impress your family and friends.