Shakshuka Bread (Shakshuka + Georgian Khachapuri)

This fusion of red pepper shakshuka and Georgian khachapuri cheese bread is a perfect match in this shakshuka bread.

The sweet and slightly smoky shakshuka filling is complemented by briny feta and creamy egg yolk in a bread boat just asking to be torn and used for dunking.

Shakshuka khachapuri is a perfect marriage of two favourites. It's so good and makes a great meal for breakfast, dinner and everything in between.

You can dress up the meal by making it a hot centerpiece served alongside other hot and cold dishes like roasted peppers, hummus, labneh, pickles, salad and cheese.

If you're looking for classic Georgian cheese bread with just cheese and egg see my recipe for Georgian Cheese Bread (Adjaruli Khachapuri).

Ingredients for shakshuka bread khachapuri

For the dough

• Flour, water, yeast, salt: The dough used to make this shakshuka bread is a standard yeasted dough. This recipe is made with dry yeast but you can also use fresh (just use twice as much fresh yeast by weight as you would dry).

For the shakshuka

• Tomato and red pepper: The base of the shakshuka is tomato and red pepper which are both diced finely. You can also omit the red pepper and just use tomato. If you're making the shakshuka with both tomatoes and red pepper, go for at least a 50:50 ratio - the tomatoes bring some much needed moisture to the dish so they should make up at least half the base.
• Onion and garlic: These are essential aromatics for shakshuka.
• Dry seasoning: The shakshuka filling is seasoned with whole cumin seeds, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, chili flakes and smoked paprika. Other dry seasonings that would play well with the flavors in the shakshuka include finely ground coriander seeds, dried mint leaves and dried ground sumac.
• Fresh herbs: The shakshuka is garnished with fresh parsley and fresh dill but you could also use fresh coriander or fresh mint (or all of the above).
• Feta: Feta crumbled on the shakshuka before baking adds a nice salty counterpoint to the sweetness of the shakshuka.
• Egg yolks: The egg yolks go in right near the end of baking so they only cook enough to set but keep that runny yolk (but if you don't like a runny yolk just cook a few minutes more until set).

Method

Making the shakshuka khachapuri dough

To make the shakshuka khachapuri dough:

1. Bloom the yeast in water: Add the yeast to tepid water and mix in. Wait until the yeast foams - this means it's active. If you're using instant yeast instead of active dry or fresh yeast, it won't foam.
2. Mix the dry ingredients: Mix together the flour and salt. If you fancy adding any herbs to the dough, then this is the moment to do so.
3. Pour the wet into the dry: Pour the water and yeast mixture over the flour and salt. Use a large wooden spoon or fork to mix it until there is no liquid water left.
4. Knead then rest the dough: Once the wet and dry are mixed, you'll have a shaggy dough. Knead for about 5 minutes (or use an electric mixer with the dough hook attachment). Once the dough is smooth, put it in a container large enough for the dough to double in size).
5. Proof the dough: Cover with cling film or a lid and rest until doubled in size (at minimum 2 hours at room temperature or overnight in the fridge - then allow to come back to room temperature).
6. Shape the dough: Cut the dough into 4 equal sized balls. Use a rolling pin to flatten them to about the thickness of naan bread and then gently move them to a parchment lined baking tray. The reason for moving them before shaping is that they are easier to move before they're shaped into boats. My preferred method to shape the boats is to roll the edges inwards, then twirl each edge roll together into one to form a long knob. Do this for both the top and bottom as shown in the photos.
7. Proof again: Once the dough is shaped, lightly cover it and let it proof again until it's inflated back up. It depends on the temperature in your kitchen but it can take from 40 minutes to 1 hour.
8. Fill the dough: Once the dough has puffed back up, then you can gently apply the egg wash and spoon in the filling, leaving an empty spot in the middle for the egg yolk.

Quick hand kneading tutorial: Fold the dough over itself along the middle, flatten it down firmly with the heel of your hand, turn it a quarter turn, and then flatten it down again. Repeat this process until the dough is uniform and smooth. Dust with a bit more flour if it sticks to your palm or fingers too much. You can also use an electric stand mixer with a dough hook attachment.

Making the shakshuka filling

Assembly

Once you've made the shakshuka, set it aside to cool and begin shaping the dough boats directly on your parchment lined pan since they will be difficult to move afterwards.

After the dough boats have proofed and puffed up, gently apply the egg wash and spoon in the shakshuka filling leaving some space for the eggs. Crumble feta on top of the shakshuka. For an extra special touch, you can sprinkle some herbs / sesame seeds on the dough after applying the egg wash.

Bake in preheated oven until golden (about 35-40 minutes) then take them out of the oven and drop an egg yolk into each boat. Bake another 3-4 minutes for runny yolks or 5-6 for firm yolks. Be careful as the eggs go from runny to very firm in just a few minutes

Just before serving, sprinkle on the fresh herbs.

Equipment

A parchment lined baking sheet (or two if you want to make 4 khachapuri at the same time).

Serving Suggestion

This shakshuka bread is great served for any meal of the day and goes really well with other Middle Eastern / Balkan sides, spread and salads.

The most important thing is to serve it hot and if you like, add a cheeky little bit of butter to the center for a really tasty treat.

Recipe