Tomato-Pepper Stew with Poached Eggs and Harissa

• Recipe by Michael Solomonov

Called shakshuka, this dish of poached eggs set in a hearty paprika-scented stew is deliciously messy. To give his stew an exotic kick, Michael Solomonov adds harissa, a Tunisian red-chile-pepper paste.

Ingredients

1. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2. 1 large onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice
3. 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch dice
4. Salt
5. 1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
6. 1 teaspoon ground coriander
7. 1 tablespoon harissa
8. 1 tablespoon tomato paste
9. One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
10. 1/4 cup chopped parsley
11. 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
12. 6 large eggs
13. Pitas or crusty bread, for serving

Directions

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and bell pepper, season with salt and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes. Stir in the paprika and coriander and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the harissa and tomato paste and cook over low heat for 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and their juices and simmer over low heat until the sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes. Stir in the parsley and cilantro and season with salt.
2. Raise the heat to moderate. One by one, break the eggs into a cup and add them to the simmering sauce. Poach the eggs until the whites are firm but the yolks are still runny, about 5 minutes. Season the eggs with salt. Transfer the eggs to bowls along with some of the sauce. Serve with warmed pitas or crusty bread.

Make Ahead

The recipe can be prepared through Step 1 and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat before proceeding.