I know it’s basic to say this but I miss Brunch. I get so much joy from sitting with a friend gossiping and paying too much for a fancy egg dish and a glass of wine or three. A slight buzz before noon on a cold Chicago Saturday, what’s not to love?

Fall of 2019 while shopping in Soho I stopped into Jack’s Wife Freda and solo dined. Another way I love to enjoy brunch. If you’ve never dined alone you don’t know what you’re missing. It’s the best way to focus on the food, atmosphere, and toast to yourself, a form of self-care if you will. Take an Instagram picture without annoying the table and people watch to your heart’s desire. Highly recommend. Anyway, I ordered the above Shakshuka and I loved it so much I’ve made it at home a few times this year. It always brings back great memories of shopping and sipping indoors, pre-covid. This recipe is perfect between Christmas and the new year when you have some extra time, why not make an extra brunch? Enjoy!

Green Shakshuka 

1 large Spanish onion 

6 garlic cloves 

2 tbsp olive oil 

1/2 pounds tomatillos 

1 green bell pepper 

1 jalapeño chili 

1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves

1 tsp coriander 

1 tsp cumin 

1-3 tablespoons hot sauce 

1-2 eggs per person 

Chopped fresh parsley for garnish 

Toasted challah or brioche for serving 

How to Make It

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F.

2. Peel and quarter the onion and place with the garlic cloves in a small baking dish. Drizzle with the olive oil and ½ teaspoon of the salt. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, or until very soft when pierced with a knife. (The onion and garlic can be prepared ahead of time.)

3. In a large bowl, soak the tomatillos in warm water to peel off the outer husk, then cut in half. Cut the stem from the bell pepper, discard the seeds, and cut into quarters. Also cut the stem from the jalapeno, discard the seeds, and quarter.

4. Place the peeled tomatillos, bell pepper, jalapeno, and cilantro leaves in a food processor with the roasted onion and garlic. Process until very smooth; it will have a salsa-like consistency.

5. Transfer to a medium saucepan. Add the coriander, cumin, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the tomatillo sauce is heated through. Be careful not to cook too long or your sauce will discolor and the taste will change. Add 1 tablespoon of hot sauce at a time until you’ve hit your desired spice level.

6. To assemble the shakshuka: Oil a cast-iron pan and set it over low heat. Crack the desired number of eggs into the pan and cover. Allow the eggs to cook sunny-side up until the whites are fully cooked but the yolks remain soft (you can of course cook the yolks through if that is your preference).

7. Once the eggs are cooked, liberally spoon the shakshuka sauce on top of the eggs and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with toasted challah or French brioche.

Cookbook Source

From JACK’S WIFE FREDA: Cooking from New York’s West Village by Maya and Dean Jankelowitz. Recipes by Julia Jaksic. Published by Blue Rider Press, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Copyright © 2016.