This humble dish, dubbed eggs in purgatory because the sauce the eggs simmer in a cauldron of moltenness, is an Italian classic that draws on simple pantry staples. However, because it calls for so few ingredients, quality is essential. Grab the best quality tomatoes and eggs you can find—you’ll notice the difference not just in this recipe but every recipe.–Renee Schettler Rossi
Eggs in Purgatory
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ripe plum tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 8 basil leaves, fresh, torn in pieces
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, as needed
- 8 large eggs
- 8 slices grilled or toasted bread
Instructions
- Blanch the tomatoes in boiling water for 30 seconds, shock them in cold water, then peel the skin. Cut the tomatoes in half, remove most of the seeds, and then cut them in large dice; set aside.
- Heat the oil in a saute pan or saucepan that has a cover over medium heat with the garlic. Just before the garlic starts to take on any color, about 1 minute, add the tomatoes, parsley, and basil. Season with salt and pepper, bring to a simmer over low heat, and let cook for 10 minutes, until tomatoes become “saucy,” but are still a little chunky.
- Break the eggs, one at the time, into a cup or dish and then gently slide them, one at the time and without breaking the yolks, on top of tomato sauce. Try to keep them separated.
- Cover the pan and let cook gently for 3 to 4 minutes, until the eggs are done, but still soft. Immediately serve them on a large round plate with the tomato sauce. Serve the grilled or toasted bread on the side.
Notes
Scrambled Eggs In Purgatory
Instead of cooking the eggs whole, you may also scramble the eggs into the sauce.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe Testers’ Reviews
This is a very common dish in Israel, called shakshuka, and I’ve made and/or eaten it too many times to count. It is often served here in the mini cast-iron frying pan in which it was cooked. This is an excellent recipe for it, well worth the trouble of using fresh tomatoes rather than canned. It looks lovely, has a punchy, delicious, spicy, tomatoey taste and makes an excellent dish for brunch, lunch, or a light weeknight dinner. My only advice is that if fresh, ripe, good-quality tomatoes aren’t available, you may use canned crushed tomatoes (not tomato sauce or paste). If using canned tomatoes, you might add a drop or two of Tabasco Sauce to add zest to it. The fresh tomatoes, however, give this dish a real punch, take it out of the ordinary, and really make a difference.
Sue Epstein-
I added Anaheim, Piquillo and Poblano peppers to the jalapeños and bells in my garden this year just so I have the piquantes on hand for shakshuka.
Sounds excellent, Rainey!
Oh, baby…. This is good stuff! I decided to make this late one night after weeks of studying for exams. I added zucchini, onion, and diced peppers to the sauce to give it a little flare. And because they were just sitting in the fridge, taunting me. I kept the egg a little soft so I could mix the yoke. I did not use the bread or the cheese. The bread would have been outstanding. I made extra sauce so I can grab it out of the fridge in the morning and make a quick breakfast. This is my new favorite breakfast food!
Excellent, Jessica. And best of luck with your exams.