Categories
Vegetarian

Braised Eggs with Leek and Za’atar

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 extra-large leeks (or 4 small), trimmed and thinly sliced (about 6 cups)
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1/2 small preserved lemon, seeds discarded, skin and flesh finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, lightly toasted and crushed
  • 7 ounces baby spinach leaves (about 7 packed cups)
  • 6 large eggs
  • 3 1/4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled into 3/4-inch pieces (about 1 generous cup)
  • 1 tablespoon za’atar
  1. Heat the butter and 1 tablespoon of the oil into a large sauté pan with a lid and place over medium-high heat. Once the butter starts to foam, add the leeks, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and plenty of pepper. Fry, stirring frequently, until the leeks are soft, about 3 minutes. Add the vegetable broth, lemon, and cumin. Bring to a boil and cook until most of the broth has evaporated, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the spinach and fold in until wilted, about 1 minute.
  2. Reduce the heat to medium. Use a large spoon to make 6 indentations in the mixture. Break 1 egg into each space. Sprinkle the eggs with a pinch of salt, dot the feta around the eggs, then cover the pan. Simmer until the egg whites are set but the yolks are still runny, 4 to 5 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the za’atar with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil.
  3. Brush the za’atar over the eggs. Serve at once, straight from the pan.

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