Name: Eggs in Purgatory
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced; 2 drained anchovy fillets, minced; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper; 2 (15-ounce) cans no-salt-added crushed tomatoes; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 2 cups packed baby spinach; 4 large eggs; 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil; 4 slices crusty whole-wheat bread, toasted

Active Time:

25 mins

Total Time:

25 mins

Servings:

4

Nutrition Profile:

Sesame-Free Diabetes-Appropriate Nut-Free Soy-Free Heart-Healthy High-Protein

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Notes

Are Eggs Good for You?

While eggs are high in cholesterol, we know now that the cholesterol in food has minimal impact on the levels of cholesterol in our bodies. Eggs are a source of high-quality protein, vitamin B12 and choline. Choline helps with memory, mood and muscle control, and keeps the nervous system in working order. Egg yolks also contain lutein and zeaxanthin, powerful compounds that help protect the eyes.

Are Tomatoes Healthy?

Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C and also provide vitamin K and potassium. They’re also full of antioxidants, including lycopene, beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. And canned tomatoes—like in this recipe—offer even more of these beneficial nutrients than fresh tomatoes. All together, the nutrients in tomatoes help protect your skin, heart and eyes, and may help lower the risk of prostate cancer.

Tips from the Test Kitchen

What Can I Serve This Recipe With?

We recommend serving Eggs in Purgatory with hearty whole-wheat bread for soaking up the delicious sauce, but you could serve it with naan, grilled garlic bread or olive bread. You could also serve this with roasted potatoes, polenta or grits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is It Called Eggs in Purgatory?

This dish goes by many names. In the Middle East and North Africa, it’s shakshuka (meaning “mixed”). In Mexico, it’s huevos el diablo (the devil’s eggs). However, the name Eggs in Purgatory (Uova in Purgatorio) seems to have originated in Naples, Italy, where certain religious beliefs played a role in the naming: the spicy red tomato sauce symbolizes the red flames of purgatory or the underworld, and the baked eggs represent souls in a place of temporary suffering.

I Can’t Find Fresh Basil, Can I Use Dried?

Absolutely. Dried herbs are more potent than fresh, so you will be using less. The rule of thumb is to replace the fresh herbs with one-third the amount of dried. This recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of fresh basil, so you would use 1 teaspoon dried.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. and Linda Frahm

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 drained anchovy fillets, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 (15-ounce) cans no-salt-added crushed tomatoes
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 cups packed baby spinach
4 large eggs
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
4 slices crusty whole-wheat bread, toasted

Directions

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, anchovies and crushed red pepper; cook, stirring often, until the garlic is fragrant and lightly browned, about 1 minute.
Add tomatoes and salt; bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in spinach;cook until wilted, about 1 minute.

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Using the back of a spoon, make 4 wells in the tomato mixture; crack an egg into each well. Cover and cook over medium heat, undisturbed, until the egg whites are cooked through and the yolks are still runny, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat; sprinkle with cheese and basil. Serve with toast.

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

EatingWell.com, February 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

312	Calories
14g	Fat
34g	Carbs
16g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 3/4 cup sauce, 1 egg & 1 slice toast
Calories 312
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 34g	12%
Dietary Fiber 7g	26%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 16g	32%
Total Fat 14g	18%
Saturated Fat 3g	17%
Cholesterol 191mg	64%
Vitamin A 250Âµg
Vitamin C 38mg	43%
Vitamin D 1Âµg
Vitamin E 6mg	40%
Folate 94Âµg
Vitamin K 94Âµg
Sodium 508mg	22%
Calcium 190mg	15%
Iron 5mg	30%
Magnesium 80mg	19%
Potassium 1230mg	26%
Zinc 2mg	17%
Vitamin B12 1Âµg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.