Wednesday is Shakshuka in the Mall with Rena

Every Wednesday morning I meet my friend Rena for brunch in the Malcha Mall before running to Gilo where I teach remedial reading once a week to a great bunch of kids. It is a special program and I've had a soft spot in my heart for Gilo since they were being shot at all the time from the neighboring Arab village.

My apartment is directly across the valley from Gilo. Excellent acoustics...some days and nights I was really sorry for the excellent acoustics.

The families who could afford it, quickly sold their houses and moved to safer neighbourhoods. This gave other families an opportunity to purchase great apartments for a fee that they could afford and today there is a great part of Gilo where wonderful children live who need remedial help but simply can't

Anyway, since I have to pass the Mall to get from my apartment to Gilo, it is only natural that brunch in the mall with a friend becomes a perfect excuse to sit and talk and let them do the cooking and cleaning up.

Shakshuka is a great Middle Eastern dish and so easy to make. All you need are eggs, lots of ground tomatoes, you can add some cheese and for those who like it, fried eggplant slices.

Here is the basic recipe:

Ingredients:
4-6 eggs
two pounds of fresh tomatoes, unpeeled and cut into cubes or one 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
2 teaspoons tomato paste
2-3 green peppers (optional)
2 onions (small) - finely chopped
hot chili pepper - whole (optional)

Preparation:
In a pan, saute the onion in olive oil until golden...
add in the peppers, tomatoes and saute for 4-5 minutes...
add the tomato paste (and some water), and stir...
season with salt and pepper...
put the hot chili pepper into the pan (whole) - this will make the Shakshuka extra hot - so go easy at first...
Now, crack the eggs, put each egg in a different side of the pan carefully so it won't break...
reduce the heat and cover for 10-20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the eggs are done...
Eat - usually eaten with pita bread, or hunks of fresh bread...
Trust me...this one is delicious...

Have a great day...stay safe...and thanks for dropping in.