Chakchouka

I received this awesome cook book called River Cottage Veg from some awesome people. There are so many things that I want to make and most probably I'll try to make everything since it IS vegetarian cook book. This particular recipe is easy and comforting. Slowly cooked peppers in smoked pepperika and saffron makes the entire home smell heavenly. And did I mention eggs are involved?? If a savory dish with egg is not comforting then I don't know what is. I even got to use my clay pots! I hope you enjoy this North African stew (Chachouka) as much as I did.

Chakchouka

• 3 tbs olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 large onion (halved and sliced)
• 1 crushed garlic clove
• 1 each red, yellow and orange Ramiro peppers (cut in long thin strips)
• 1 can (14oz) can tomato (chopped)
• 1/2 tsp hot smoked peprika (i used 1tsp)
• pinch of saffron 
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 4 large eggs

Preheat oven to 350F.  Heat oil in large (oven proof) pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and let them fry for a minute. Now add onions and cook gently for 8-10 minutes. They should get golden. Add the garlic and pepper and continue to cook them on low heat for 20 or so minutes. Once the peppers become soft and wilted, add peprika and crumble in the saffron. Now add entire can of tomatoes including the juice. Season with salt and pepper.Cook for another 10-15 minutes, taste and adjust seasoning to your liking.Now if you're using over proof pan, make four dimples in the pepper and tomatoes, crack an egg into a saucer and carefully pour into a well, repeat with the three other eggs. Sprinkle each egg with a little salt and pepper. Since the pan I used was not oven proof, this was my chance to finally use the clay cooking pots I received as gift. You can also use a baking dish. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the egg white is set and the yolk still runny. It took me 12 minutes. Basically I watched it like hawk, I had come too far to screw up plus this was our only dinner option. Once done, enjoy with bread or pita bread!!