Ojja Merguez (Tunisian Eggs with Spicy Sausage)
Local name: عجة مرقاز
In short: Spicy merguez sausage simmered in a tomato and harissa sauce, then topped with eggs that set in soft curds. A quick, fiery Tunisian supper. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 440 kcal
Ojja is a hot, saucy dish that Tunisian cooks make when there is little time and plenty of appetite. Merguez sausage gives the sauce its fat and spice, garlic and harissa bring the heat, and the eggs are broken into the pan and stirred slightly rather than left whole. It is eaten straight from the pan with bread. Shrimp and vegetable versions exist, but merguez is the one most people know.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a deep 26 cm (10 in) skillet over medium heat. Fry the merguez and bell pepper for 5 minutes until the sausage is browned and has released its fat.
- Add the garlic, tomato paste, harissa, coriander and caraway and stir for 1 minute.
- Pour in the tomatoes, water and salt. Simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until the sauce is thick and glossy and the sausage is cooked through (71°C / 160°F).
- Lower the heat. Crack the eggs over the sauce and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Let them sit for 1 minute, then stir gently with a fork to break the yolks and swirl them through the sauce.
- Cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, until the eggs are just set but still creamy. Scatter the parsley on top and serve at once with bread.
Tips
- No merguez? Use any spicy lamb or beef sausage and add 1/2 tsp ground cumin and 1/2 tsp paprika to the sauce.
- Keep the sauce thick before the eggs go in. A watery sauce gives soupy eggs, so simmer until a spoon leaves a trail across the pan.
Questions and answers
What is ojja?
Ojja is a Tunisian dish of eggs cooked in a spicy tomato and harissa sauce, usually with merguez sausage or shrimp. The eggs are stirred partly into the sauce so they set in soft curds.
Can I make ojja without sausage?
Yes. Add diced potatoes or chickpeas and a little extra harissa for body, or stir in cooked shrimp for the last 3 minutes.
What do you serve with ojja?
Crusty bread for scooping is traditional. Olives, pickled turnips or a simple chopped salad on the side balance the heat.
How long does it take to make Ojja Merguez (Tunisian Eggs with Spicy Sausage)?
About 35 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ojja Merguez (Tunisian Eggs with Spicy Sausage)?
About 440 kcal per serving, with 20 g of protein, 14 g of carbohydrates and 34 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 440 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Fat | 34 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 1400 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
