Happy Food - Vegan Baked Shakshuka

BAKED SHAKSHUKA WITH BUTTER BEANS

"Love this dish! So simple, satisfying and easy to make. The eggy version of shakshuka has taken over cafes worldwide. This version is still as substantial and has a spicy, smoky edge to it that I love.  It’s a weekend brunch kind of meal, but also super when you’re coming home from work and are in need of something substantial. I sometimes add some sliced avocado to mine, for extra creaminess, which I’m sure will come as no surprise!" - Bettina Campolucci Bordi, Happy Food

Serves 2

80 ml (2 1/2 fl oz / 2/3 cup) olive oil

1/2 red onion, chopped

1/2 red (bell) pepper, chopped

1/2 aubergine (eggplant), chopped

1 x 400 g (4 oz) tin of tomatoes

230 g (8 oz) tinned butter beans (lima beans), drained

4 sundried tomatoes, chopped

1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika

pinch of cayenne pepper

pink Himalayan salt and black pepper, to taste

To serve

handful of chopped parsley

Good quality shop-bought bread

drizzle of Pesto

dollops of plant yoghurt

lemon wedges

a few cherry tomatoes, to garnish(optional)

a few endive leaves (optional)

Method

In a medium pan, heat the oil and fry the onion, pepper and aubergine with a tiny pinch of salt for 10–15 minutes. It is important you use a good amount of oil here to get it going and to make sure that the veggies soften properly.

Then add the tomatoes, beans, sundried tomatoes and all the spices and seasoning, give it a good stir and leave on a medium heat, covered, for 10 minutes.

Check on the mixture when the time is up, give it a stir and leave for another 10 minutes.

By now the shakshuka should be done, the liquid should have mostly cooked off and turned sticky and there should be a smoky gorgeous mixture in your pan.

Serve immediately from the pan with a good sprinkle of chopped parsley, avocado slices, home-made bread for dipping and if you have some pumpkin seed pesto, get that in too,

along with some plant yoghurt and lemon wedges to squeeze over.

Tip  This is such a comforting dish that can also be made in bigger quantities and reheated.

Good for batch cooking and freezing. Lasts for +3 days in the fridge.

Happy Food by Bettina Campolucci Bordi is published on the 17th May. Order your copy now from your local bookshop or online from Amazon or Waterstones

Photography by Nassima Rothacker

To find out more about Bettina, follower her on Instagram or visit her website, Bettina's Kitchen