Italian-Style Shakshouka with Crave Brothers Farmstead Marinated Mozzarella and Marinated Crostini 

Shakshouka is North African dish made with eggs poached in a flavorful sauce of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spiced with cumin. This version crosses over to the other side of the Mediterranean Sea to give the recipe an Italian twist. Along with perfectly poached eggs, marinated ciliegine gently melt into the warm tomato sauce. It is served with mouthwatering toasted crostini to sop up every last bite.

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Italian Shakshouka

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup chopped yellow onion

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

2/3 cup chopped jarred roasted red peppers

1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes

6 eggs

1 container (8 ounces) Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Cheese Marinated Ciliegine  

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

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Marinated Crostini

Crusty Italian bread

1/4 cup reserved marinade from Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Cheese Marinated Ciliegine

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Pre-heat oven to 400˚ F. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion,cook until softened, about 5 to 8 minutes.Add tomato paste and cook until it darkens slightly, about 2 minutes. Stir in cumin, garlic, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes; cook for about 30 seconds. Add roasted red peppers and tomatoes with juice. Simmer about 2 minutes. If necessary, season with sea salt, to taste.

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Using the back of a spoon, make 6 indentations in the tomato sauce and crack 1 egg into

each well. Then, place marinated ciliegine cheese throughout the tomato sauce. (Reserve

remaining marinade for crostini.) Transfer the pan into the oven; bake until egg whites are

set but the yolks are still soft, about 8 minutes. The mozzarella will just begin to melt.

Sprinkle with fresh parsley and a few turns of freshly ground black pepper.  Serve

immediately with prepared crostini.

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For the Marinated Crostini

Slice Italian bread into 1/2-inch slices. Lightly brush both sides with the reserved

marinade from a container of marinated ciliegine cheese. Bake until lightly

browned on both sides, about 8-10 minutes. Crostini can be prepared in advance

and set aside until ready to serve with Italian Shakshouka.

Yield: 6 servings