I do love a Shakshuka and they are a very versatile breakfast. You can make so many versions. Green ones. Red ones. Spicy ones. Creamy ones. What's not to love?

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small red onion, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 400g tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp ground coriander
• ¼ tsp chilli flakes (optional)
• 240g cooked butter beans, drained
• 100g baby spinach
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tbsp finely chopped preserved lemon
• 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
• Sea salt and black pepper
• 100g Greek yoghurt (optional, to serve)

Method

Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan or shallow casserole dish over a medium heat. Add the onion and pepper and cook gently for 6-8 minutes until softened and beginning to caramelise.

Add the garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander and chilli flakes and cook for a further minute until fragrant.

Stir in the tomato purée and cook for another minute before adding the chopped tomatoes. Simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.

Add the butter beans and cook for 5 minutes before stirring through the spinach. Allow the spinach to wilt into the sauce.

Create four small wells in the sauce and crack an egg into each one. Cover with a lid and cook gently for 5-7 minutes until the whites are set but the yolks remain soft.

Scatter over the preserved lemon and parsley before serving. Add a spoonful of Greek yoghurt if desired.

Health Benefits:

Eggs

Eggs provide complete protein containing all essential amino acids required for muscle maintenance and repair. They are also rich in choline, a nutrient involved in neurotransmitter production, liver function and cell membrane health.

Butter Beans

Butter beans are an excellent source of fibre and plant protein. Their soluble fibre helps support healthy cholesterol levels and promotes a beneficial gut microbiome. They also provide magnesium and potassium, important for cardiovascular health.

Spinach

Spinach supplies folate, magnesium, vitamin K and lutein. These nutrients support cardiovascular health, bone metabolism and eye health while contributing antioxidant protection.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a carotenoid associated with cardiovascular health and reduced oxidative stress. Cooking tomatoes improves lycopene availability.

Preserved Lemon

Preserved lemon contributes polyphenols and vitamin C while providing intense flavour that reduces the need for excessive salt.

Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil provides monounsaturated fats and polyphenols that support cardiovascular health and help regulate inflammatory pathways.