Tagine Merguez
Spicy Lamb Sausage and Egg Tagine
A quick and flavorful Moroccan tagine featuring spicy merguez sausages simmered in a rich tomato and harissa sauce, topped with perfectly poached eggs. Ideal for a speedy weeknight meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 8 Merguez sausages(Spicy lamb sausages, available at specialty butchers or well-stocked supermarkets.)
- 4 Tomatoes(Ripe, medium-sized tomatoes. Canned diced tomatoes (14.5 oz / 400g) can be substituted.)
- 4 Eggs(Fresh, large eggs.)
- 1 tsp Cumin(Ground cumin.)
- 1 tbsp Harissa(Adjust to your spice preference. Use a mild or hot variety as desired.)
- 1 tbsp Olive oil(For sautéing.)
- 2 cloves Garlic(Minced.)
- 1 medium Onion(Finely chopped.)
- 0.5 cup Water or vegetable broth(To create the sauce base.)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Fresh cilantro or parsley(Chopped, for garnish (optional).)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the tomato base: Heat the olive oil in a tagine or a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat (approx. 190°C / 375°F if using an oven-safe skillet for the final step). Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 8 minutes - 2
Add the spices and tomatoes: Stir in the cumin and harissa, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant. If using fresh tomatoes, chop them roughly and add them to the skillet. If using canned, add them with their juices. Stir well to combine with the onions and garlic. Pour in the water or broth.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 3
Simmer the sauce: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low, cover the tagine or skillet, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. The tomatoes should break down into a rustic sauce.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Add the merguez: Nestle the merguez sausages into the simmering tomato sauce, ensuring they are partially submerged. Cover and continue to cook for another 10-12 minutes, or until the sausages are cooked through and heated evenly. The sausages should feel firm to the touch and have released some of their flavorful oils into the sauce.
⏱️ 12 minutes - 5
Add the eggs: Create four small wells in the sauce using the back of a spoon. Carefully crack one egg into each well. Cover the tagine or skillet again.
⏱️ 1 minute - 6
Cook the eggs: Continue to cook gently for 3-5 minutes, or until the egg whites are set but the yolks are still runny, or cooked to your desired doneness. If your skillet is oven-safe, you can place it under a preheated broiler for the last minute to help set the egg whites faster, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 7
Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley, if desired. Serve the tagine immediately, directly from the skillet or tagine pot. It is traditionally served with crusty bread for dipping into the rich sauce and runny egg yolks.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓This dish is best enjoyed fresh, with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce and runny egg yolks.
- ✓Adjust the amount of harissa to control the level of spice.
- ✓For a richer sauce, you can add a pinch of smoked paprika along with the cumin.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Omit the eggs for a simpler sausage and tomato stew.
- Add sliced bell peppers (any color) along with the onions in Step 1 for added vegetables.
- Stir in a can of drained chickpeas during the last 5 minutes of simmering the sauce for extra protein and fiber.