The dish should look rustic yet vibrant, with the pale baked celery root contrasting with the white and yellow of the baked eggs, all covered with a red-orange harissa drizzle and dotted with green herbs. The vibrant oranges and lemons aside, add punches of color.

Baked Citrus-Harissa Celery Root and Eggs

Name: Baked Citrus-Harissa Celery Root and Eggs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 1 large celery root, 1 large peeled and cut into thin rounds; fresh eggs, 4; harissa paste, 2 tablespoons; cilantro, 1/2 cup coarsely chopped; mint, 1/2 cup coarsely chopped; orange, 1 zested and juiced; lemon, 1 zested and juiced; olive oil, 3 tablespoons; salt, to taste; freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Category Brunch

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 35 minutes

Style Middle Eastern

Technique Baking

Diet Friendly Gluten-Free

Daily Recipe: April 05, 2025

This Middle Eastern-inspired brunch recipe brings together the hearty earthiness of celery root, the bright flavors of citrus and herbs, the subtle heat of harissa, and the protein-packed nutrition of eggs. Perfect for a chill, rainy day, it's both comforting and invigorating.

Ingredients (for 2)

1 large celery root - 1 large - peeled and cut into thin rounds
Fresh eggs - 4
Harissa paste - 2 tablespoons
Cilantro - 1/2 cup - coarsely chopped
Mint - 1/2 cup - coarsely chopped
Orange - 1 - zested and juiced
Lemon - 1 - zested and juiced
Olive oil - 3 tablespoons
Salt - to taste
Freshly ground black pepper - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🔥🌡️🕓

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2 - 🥦🥄🧂

Toss the celery root rounds with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Step 3 - 🥦🕒🔥

Bake the celery root for 20-25 minutes, until tender and golden.
Step 4 - 🥣🍊🍋

While the celery root is baking, mix together the harissa paste, orange zest and juice, and lemon zest and juice in a bowl.
Step 5 - 🔥🥦🥚

After the celery root is done, lower the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Push the celery root rounds closely together to create 'nests', and carefully crack an egg into each nest.
Step 6 - 🥚🔥🍴

Drizzle the nests with the harissa-citrus mixture, and bake for another 10-12 minutes, until the eggs are set but the yolks are still runny.
Step 7 - 🌿🍽️🏁

Top the dish with cilantro and mint before serving.

Additional

Celery root, also known as celeriac, is a very underappreciated vegetable. Though it's often overlooked in favor of other root vegetables, it has a unique flavour profile that's worth a try. It's earthy, nutty, and has a faint taste of celery. Not to mention, it's extremely versatile. You can mash it, roast it, or even turn it into fries! For a vegetarian option, substitute eggs with tofu or chickpeas. Kids can help in arranging the celery root 'nests'.