Egyptian Eggs With Dukkah Food

EGYPTIAN DUKKAH RECIPE

Steps:

• Place the hazelnuts and almonds in a dry cast iron pan (do NOT add oil). Toast briefly over medium-high heat, tossing regularly, until the nuts gain some color (watch for nuts to turn a nice golden brown). Transfer to a side dish for now.
• Place the sesame seeds in the same skillet and return to the heat. Toast over medium heat, tossing regularly, until the sesame seeds turn golden brown (this will be fairly quick so watch carefully).
• Add the toasted nuts and sesame seeds to the bowl of a small food processor fitted with a blade. Add the pistachios, fennel seeds, spices, and a generous dash of kosher salt. Pulse for a few seconds until you reach a nice coarse mixture (Do not over process the dukkah. The mixture should not be too fine. See photos and video for exact texture).
• Transfer the dukkah to a bowl to serve. Add a small bowl of extra virgin olive oil and your favorite bread for dipping (I like pita bread or even Jerusalem bagel). You can also store the dukkah in a tight-lid jar for up to 2 weeks to use as a topping for salad, soup, chicken, meats, or roasted vegetables!

EGYPTIAN EGGS WITH DUKKAH

Steps:

• DUKKAH.
• Roast the sesame seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and hazelnuts until golden and fragrant. (You may need to do each of these separately, so none of them scorch).
• Rub the skins off of the hazelnuts as much as possible.
• Combine the seeds and nuts in a spice or coffee grinder, and grind until they are chopped, but not pulverized into a paste. Add the salt and pepper. If you have any of the Dukkah left over, keep it in a airtight container in the refrigerator.
• EGGS.
• Soft boil the eggs for 3 minutes, then cool and peel under running water to easily remove the shells.
• Lightly dredge the eggs in the flour, dusting off any excess, then deep fry for a minute or two, until they are golden brown.
• Remove from the oil and roll in the Dukkah.
• Serve immediately with a light salad for an appetizer, or as is for a quick snack.

DUKKAH (EGYPTIAN SEASONING BLEND)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lay the nuts out single layer on a lined baking sheet. Roast them for 8-10 minutes until they have darkened in color and smell very nutty. Be careful not to roast them for too long or they will turn bitter. Remove from the oven and let the cool completely.
• Heat a dry pan over medium heat and place the remaining ingredients in it except for the mint and salt.Roast the spices and seeds for a few minutes until they have slightly deepened in color and are very fragrant. Be careful not to let them scorch or they will become bitter.Transfer to a bowl and let them cool completely.
• Place the cooled nuts, the cooled spices and seeds, the mint and salt in a blender or food processor.Pulse until the mixture is ground with lots of tiny coarse bits throughout. It should not be ground into a powder.Transfer the mixture to an airtight jar and, for the longest shelf-life, store it in the fridge where it will keep for up to 3 weeks.Makes about 1 1/4 cups.

EGYPTIAN SPINACH PIE WITH HAZELNUT DUKKAH CRUST

Steps:

• Make the dukkah: Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Pour the hazelnuts onto a baking sheet, then slip into the oven and toast until golden brown and fragrant, about 12 minutes. Pour the nuts onto one half of a clean kitchen towel, then fold over the other half. Rub gently to remove the skins. Pour the nuts onto a cutting board, finely chop and set aside.
• Set a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the coriander seeds and toast, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cumin seeds and sesame seeds and cook, stirring often, until fragrant and slightly darker in color but not burned, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir the seeds with the hazelnuts, then coarsely grind with a mortar and pestle. Set aside.
• Make the pie: Increase the oven temperature to 400˚ F. Set a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and cook until melted and browned just a little. Add the shallots and garlic; cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes.
• Rinse the spinach. Drain, but don't worry about getting all the water off. Add the spinach to the shallot-garlic mixture in batches, stirring, until all of the spinach is wilted, 7 to 8 minutes. Stir in the dill and nutmeg; season with salt and pepper. Drain off any excess liquid. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
• Add the mozzarella and cheddar to the spinach. Stir well and let cool. (You can pop it into the fridge to hurry this along!)
• Place one puff pastry sheet in the bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish or 9-inch pie plate. Spoon in the spinach filling, using the back of a spatula to level it out. Layer the other puff pastry sheet on top, and then crimp the edges, cutting off any excess. Brush the beaten egg on the puff pastry and sprinkle with the dukkah spice blend. Put the pie on a baking sheet and bake until deep golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Sprinkle with the sumac. Let cool 10 minutes before cutting into the pie.