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Smoked meatballs Shakshuka – A middle eastern classic made with a twist

A BBQ bastard twist on the middle eastern classic. This originally is a vegetarian meal but I decided to add some homemade smoked meatballs to add another layer of taste. Serve this for breakfast and you start your day in style! You can smoke your meatballs the day before. 
You might need:
- a minced meat recipe
- Apple wood chunks for smoking
- a cast iron skillet
Course Breakfast, Main Course
Cuisine American, middle eastern
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 8 Smoked Meat balls (100 gr. each) Mince recipe in introduction text
  • 175 ml mild olive oil
  • 2 big onions
  • 2 red bell paprika's
  • 2 yellow bell paprika's
  • 1 jalapeno pepper (or more at taste)
  • 1 pinch of cayenne
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 6 twigs of thyme
  • 10 g fresh cilantro
  • 2 twigs flat parsley
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seed
  • 1/2 tsp ground star anise
  • 2 tsp cane sugar
  • 1/2 tsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 can tomato pasata (500gr.)
  • 50 ml water
  • 1/2 tbsp cider vinegar
  • 4 eggs
  • Salt and pepper at taste
  • Finish with cilantro at taste

Tools

  • Cast iron skillet
  • Smokewood

Instructions

  • Start a fire for direct cooking at low temperature 110°C/230°F
  • Smoke your homemade meat balls (mince recipe) for +-40 minutes with your favorite smokewood (I used apple)
  • Meanwhile slice the onions and bell peppers.
  • Add the olive oil to a large cast iron skillet with the thyme twigs, bay leaves, parsley, cumin seed and ground anise. Let simmer for two minutes. This will enhance the flavor of the herbs.
  • Toss in the finely chopped jalapeno pepper, onions, white wine vinegar, cayenne cane sugar and cilantro. Let simmer for 20 minutes until they slightly brown.
  • Add the sliced bell pepper tot he onions and let simmer for another 10 minutes.
  • Add the pasata, 50 ml. water and white wine vinegar and let cook for another 10 minutes, add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Put the meatballs in the sauce. Make some wholes in the sauce between the meatballs and crack in the eggs.
  • Put the skillet back on your BBQ for 15-20 minutes (until the eggs are done)
  • Add some freshly chopped cilantro right before serving this smoked meatball Shakshuka

Have a nice meal