Eggs in Purgatory

Eggs in Purgatory is a spicy and delicious meatless meal that would be awesome any time of day. Eggs are poached in a tomato sauce spiked with plenty of chillies and served with stacks of crunchy toast. It's absolutely awesome.

I'm married to a spice freak. My husband likes the kind of food that will make him cry. I think there's a hint of macho competitiveness to see how hot he can handle it, but I also think he genuinely enjoys feeling like his mouth is on fire. I mean, I like some heat, but he takes it way too far.

So anytime I see a dish that's loaded up with chopped chili peppers, I know he's gonna love it. And because part of kitchen magick (for me anyway) is making things that make your loved ones outrageously happy, I knew I had to save this dish for a day when he could enjoy it.

What makes Eggs in Purgatory so awesome?

Eggs in Purgatory is similar to shakshuka or huevos rancheros. It's a spicy tomato sauce made from red chillies and canned tomatoes with eggs poached in the sauce. It's a little bit sweet and as spicy as you like. Make some toast with a loaf of good bakery bread and dip away.

I've adapted this from a Nigella Lawson recipe in her Italian book Nigellissima. I've added a few extra eggs though, using the same amount of sauce. It worked absolutely fine, so you could easily scale this recipe down with fewer eggs if you like. I also upped the heat factor by adding diced red chillies because my husband is a heat fiend.

Magical Properties of Chili Peppers

Anytime you add chili peppers to a recipe, you're bringing lots of fire energy. Just like in nature, this energy is powerful but volatile. It can speed up spells and clear pathways, but it's also volatile and should be used with caution. Ruled by Mars and carrying masculine energy, this long and pointy fruits are also associated with male fertility in some cultures. You can also use this fiery ingredient for protection like a ring of fire.

For more on the magical properties of the ingredients in this recipe, check the Kitchen Magick page.

Ingredients

Here's everything you'll need to make this dish. The full details are in the recipe card below.

• Olive oil - or your favoritecooking oil
• Garlic - fresh cloves or garlic paste will both work
• Crushed red pepper flakes - aka chili flakes
• Red jalapenos - or your favorite spicy chili pepper
• Canned tomatoes - I like to use the finely chopped variety. Go with what you prefer.
• Salt
• Eggs
• Parmesan cheese
• Toast - I like to splash out for a nice loaf of sourdough for this, but any toast will do.

How to make Eggs in Purgatory

We start with a hot skillet and some olive oil. Infuse your oil with a grated clove of garlic and a fat pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Then add in your chopped chili and let it cook for a few minutes to soften up. Once we've got everything nice and spicy, we can add in a can of diced tomatoes and some salt. Let this all come to a nice bubble.

Then all that's left to do is crack in up to four eggs and let them cook. If you partially cover your pan, they'll cook faster. As soon as your whites are set, take the pan off the heat. Sprinkle over some grated Parmesan, and get ready to dig in.

If you can get someone to help you out on toast duty, that'd be great. Slice up a loaf of good sourdough or whatever bread you can get your hands on and toast them under the broiler or even in the regular toaster. You want to have a good size stack of bread. The contrast in texture is what makes this so awesome.

Eggs in Purgatory is hot, but I promise, it doesn't feel like the gates of hell. I hope this deliciously spicy dish makes you feel absolutely awesome.

Looking for more awesome egg recipes? Check out these Turkish Eggs or some Mint & Goat Cheese Scrambled Eggs.

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