Shakshouka at Cottage Cafe

Shak-shuka what? My friends and I said the same thing while perusing the menu of Cottage Café here in Geneva. Eager to try new things, that’s on the upper left of the picture, together with some sliced chorizo and what was called Crispy Chavignol (goat cheese) wrapped in filo with honey and fruits.  All were tasty and light enough for our apero.

But it was not really Shak-shuka that got our attention. It was Sumac. What is Sumac?




Sumac is a powdered spice with a lemony taste often sprinkled on hummus and salads or to flavor meats of North African origin. It apparently closely means red in Arabic. Now I realize why some Western recipes add paprika to hummus. Sumac would have been really way better with hints of citrus.

But back to the Shak-shuka or Shakshouka.

It’s often mistaken as Israeli but apparently from Tunisia. It’s made of eggs poached in a stew of tomatoes, chili peppers, onions, garlic, and some cumin. Salt and peppers of course. Then some feta cheese and parsley for garnish based on this recipe.

I had no idea it is so simple to make! We have a tiny cast iron pan in Manila but looks like I am stocking up on tajines while here in Geneva and hunt Sumac! Bon app!

Cottage Cafe in Geneva
Website: http://cottagecafe.ch/