A quick and delicious main meal for two or indulgent weekend brunch for four. Shakshuka is a Middle Eastern pepper and tomato dish that’s traditionally served with bread. Here, halloumi shakshuka is served with a zesty lemon and coriander couscous instead.
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Shakshuka is one of my favourite things to eat, though I have to confess I’ve never yet eaten it for breakfast. In the Middle East, it’s a breakfast dish and includes eggs rather than halloumi. I’ve found that halloumi makes a most delicious substitute for eggs.
Couscous is one of those ingredients that comes and goes in our household. I’ll have a spate of using it in various dishes, then forget about it for a while. This halloumi shakshuka recipe from Hello Fresh has reminded me of just how good couscous can be.
Hello Fresh
Whilst I enjoy cooking and the creative process of deciding what ingredients to pair with what, it’s sometimes a blessed relief not to have to think ‘what to cook’ of an evening. This is where recipe boxes come in. A box of ingredients arrives at your door with accompanying recipes. All you have to do is make them.
Hello Fresh is a recipe box delivery service. Seasonal fresh ingredients delivered right to your door so that you can have a flavoursome home cooked meal with a minimum of fuss. It can be a real godsend when you’ve run out of ideas and / or energy.
The service can also save you time as you don’t need to do any shopping – win win. There’s just the right amount of ingredients for the recipes too so you’ll end up with no waste. Not that that’s ever an issue with me. I can always find something to do with leftovers.
The recipes are perfect for less experienced cooks. They’re detailed and have easy step-by-step instructions with accompanying pictures. More experienced cooks can probably skim through the instructions, but they provide a handy guide nonetheless. I found this recipe for halloumi shakshuka simple and straightforward to follow.
Hello Fresh were unable to send me the box for this halloumi shakshuka, so I bought the ingredients myself. But even though this is an easy dish to make, it would have been even easier with a recipe box. Everything is ready to hand and all you need to do is chop and cook. How fabulous is that?
I seem to spend an inordinate amount of time hunting for ingredients at the back of cupboards. Oftentimes I’ll empty the cupboard, only to find what I’m looking for isn’t there. So I love this recipe box concept where I don’t have to think too much and all of the ingredients are to hand. It may not be for every day, but it’s worth knowing about for an occasional treat.
Recipe Boxes
There are a myriad recipe boxes and meal types to choose from. If you’ve got fussy kids and simplicity is key, try the family box. Then there’s the classic box which gives you a choice of twenty six meals featuring both British and world cuisine.
The rapid box is for those who are strapped for time. You can choose from six meals each week and they all take less than twenty minutes to cook.
Then of course, there’s the box I’m most interested in: the veggie box. There’s an ever changing menu, but each week you get six meals to choose from. I’ve just had a peek to see what’s on offer at the moment. They all look tempting, but if I had to choose one it would be mushroom shawarma tacos with lettuce and feta cheese. Yum!
I chose this recipe for halloumi shakshuka because a) I can’t resist halloumi and b) it’s been a long time since I ate anything with couscous. Now I’ve cooked it and we’ve eaten it all up, I don’t in the least bit regret my decision. CT has asked that I make it on a regular basis. That’s what I call an endorsement.
Halloumi Shakshuka with Couscous
This really is such a delightful dish. It’s quick and easy to make and it’s both delicious and satisfying. I’ve made shakshuka many times, but never with halloumi – until now. I have made it with chocolate though and it worked very well. Head over to my chocshuka post for the recipe.
The main task for this halloumi shakshuka is to slice and chop the various ingredients. Once that’s done, it’s a breeze.
Start with the couscous, this needs to soak in hot liquid for at least fifteen minutes. I prefer twenty. That may be because I use wholemeal couscous and it takes a bit longer. Hello Fresh instruct you to cover the soaking couscous bowl with clingfilm. I prefer a plate. It works just as well and no plastic waste created.
Then fry the onion and peppers. I love this bit as the sliced peppers are so colourful and pretty. Add garlic and chermoula followed by a tin of chopped tomatoes. Let it bubble away.
Meanwhile fry up slices of delicious salty halloumi cheese, then add them on top of the rich bubbling tomato and pepper mixture. Clap a lid over the top for a couple of minutes or so and it’s done. All you then need to do is add chopped coriander along with lemon zest and juice to the couscous. Fluff it up with a fork and spoon into bowls.
The quantities for this recipe err on the generous side, so it’s a good one for when you’re feeling hungry. For a lighter lunch or supper, I reckon it could stretch to three people. It’s also a lovely idea for a lazy weekend brunch and in this case, it would be sufficient for four people.
All but the olive oil, salt, pepper and sugar are provided in this halloumi shakshuka recipe box. You can find this recipe and so many more on the Hello Fresh website.
Other Middle Eastern Recipes You Might Like
- Caramelised onion & yoghurt dip
- Carrot falafel with tahini sauce
- Egyptian falafel with chopped salad
- Stuffed red peppers in tomato sauce
- Tahini sauce with clementines
- Traditional hummus
You’ll find more Middle Eastern inspired recipes in my Middle Eastern category. I also have a six course chocolate Middle Eastern dinner menu you might be interested in. It went down very well with my guests.
Keep in Touch
Thanks for visiting Tin and Thyme. If you try this halloumi shakshuka, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. Have you any top tips? Do share photos on social media too and use the hashtag #tinandthyme, so I can spot them.
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If you’d like more halloumi recipes, follow the link and you’ll find I have a few. All delicious, of course.
Choclette x
Halloumi Shakshuka. PIN IT.
Halloumi Shakshuka – The Recipe
Halloumi Shakshuka with Couscous
Ingredients
Couscous
- 150 g wholemeal couscous (contains gluten)
- 300 ml water
- 1 bunch coriander leaves (cilantro) finely chopped
- ½ lemon zested and juiced (preferably organic, but at least unwaxed)
- salt and pepper to taste
Shakshuka
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion peeled, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 yellow pepper halved, core and seeds discarded and sliced into strips
- 1 green pepper halved, core and seeds discarded and sliced into strips
- 2 cloves garlic peeled and finely chopped
- 1 tsp chermoula spice
- 400 g tinned chopped tomatoes
- pinch sugar
- 100 ml water
- salt and pepper to taste
- 240 g halloumi sliced widthways into six (contains milk)
Instructions
Couscous
- Pour the couscous into a bowl. Boil the water and pour over the couscous. Cover with a plate and leave to soak whilst you get on with making the shakshuka. It will need at least 15 minutes, but I find longer is better.150 g wholemeal couscous, 300 ml water
- When the shakshuka is ready to be served, stir in half the coriander, lemon zest and juice and salt and pepper to taste. Fluff up with a fork.1 bunch coriander leaves (cilantro), ½ lemon, salt and pepper
Shakshuka
- Fry the onions and peppers in the oil over a moderate heat for 6-8 minutes, stirring often. Add a pinch of salt whilst they're frying.1 onion, 1 yellow pepper, 1 green pepper, 1 tbsp olive oil
- Once the peppers have softened, stir in the garlic and chermoula. Fry for a minute then add the tomatoes and water. Season with a pinch of sugar along with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp chermoula spice, 400 g tinned chopped tomatoes, pinch sugar, 100 ml water, salt and pepper
- Meanwhile, heat a non stick pan over a medium heat. Lay the halloumi slices down and fry for 2-3 minutes on each side or until they're nicely browned.240 g halloumi
- Transfer the halloumi slices to the tomato mixture. Cover the pan and simmer for a couple of minutes.
- Divide the couscous between two bowls. Spoon in the shakshuka, ensuring there are three slices each. Sprinkle the remaining coriander over the top.
Notes
Nutrition Estimate
Sharing
I’m sharing this recipe for halloumi shakshuka and herby couscous with Curly’s Cooking for #CookBlogShare.
This post is commissioned by Hello Fresh. I was not expected to write a positive review and all opinions are, as always, my own. Thank you for your support of the brands and organisations that help to keep Tin and Thyme blithe and blogging.
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says
I love this idea! I am not a big fan of eggs done this way, but I love the idea of substituting the eggs for halloumi – which is one of my favourite ingredients EVER. I would happily wolf this down 😀 Eb x
Choclette says
I haven’t met anyone yet who doesn’t love halloumi. Not really sure why it’s so good, but it just is.
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
This sounds so yummy! I adore halloumi!
Choclette says
You are not alone Kat, it’s almost addictive.
Beth Sachs says
I’ve never tried Hello Fresh (not sure they would deliver to my rural part of Cornwall lol). This is my kind of dish though…and anything with halloumi in, I’m there!
Choclette says
According to their site, Hello Fresh deliver to anywhere on the UK Mainland, so even in far flung Cornwall you should be covered 😉 Shakshuka is a firm favourite and halloumi just makes it even better.
Pavani says
What a great idea to use halloumi instead of eggs in shakshuka. I would love to try this delicious and inviting recipe soon.
Hello fresh is so convenient for busy families.
Choclette says
It’s a lovely meal indeed Pavani, though I do like shakshuka with eggs too. And yes Hello Fresh is perfect for busy families.
Erika says
I’ve never tried Hello Fresh (or any food delivery service), but I’ve always wanted to try. This halloumi dish looks amazing!
Choclette says
It’s such a good idea. You feel you’ve cooked your own food (which you have), but most of the hassle is taken out of it.
Ashley Marie Lecker says
We have used Hello Fresh before at our house and I was so happy with the recipe and quality of the food. I have not tried this one, but I will be on the lookout for it!
Choclette says
It’s really nice to have so much choice and the menu is forever changing too. But I’m sure it will come around again.
sherry says
we tried wholemeal couscous one time; it was like eating sand! sadly i threw the rest out:) love halloumi tho.
Choclette says
Hmmm, that’s weird Sherry. Mine really doesn’t have a sandy texture at all. Maybe you just got a bad batch. I find it hard to tell the difference other than it’s slightly darker.
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
I’ve never actually has shakshuka I am afraid to say! This version with halloumi looks really delicious and I love the idea of serving it with cous cous. Thank you for linking to #CookBlogShare.
Choclette says
One of the things I love about food blogging is discovering all sorts of things I haven’t tried. It’s an exciting world.
angiesrecipes says
What a coincidence! I had some fried halloumi yesterday too. Yours looks really tasty with tomato based sauce and couscous.
Choclette says
Why is fried halloumi so delicious Angie. It’s irresistible.