Menemen is a beloved Turkish breakfast dish featuring soft-scrambled eggs cooked in sautéed tomatoes, peppers, and onions, seasoned with spices and olive oil. It’s cozy, quick, and perfect with crusty bread for dipping!
Yields: 2-3 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes
🌟 Why You’ll Love It:
- One pan, minimal ingredients
- Bold, comforting flavors
- Vegetarian-friendly
- Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or dinner
- A taste of Turkish tradition
Ingredients:
- 2-3 ripe tomatoes, diced
- 2 green or red bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced (optional)
- 2-4 eggs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (pul biber) (optional, adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Fresh parsley or dill, chopped (for garnish)
- Crusty bread, for serving
Equipment:
- Large skillet or pan
- Chopping board
- Knife
- Spatula
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
- First, finely chop the onion and dice the tomatoes. Thinly slice the bell peppers. If using garlic, mince it.
Step 2: Sauté the Onions and Peppers
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Then, add the sliced bell peppers and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, until they start to soften. If using garlic, add it in the last minute of cooking the peppers to avoid burning.
Step 3: Add the Tomatoes and Spices
- Add the diced tomatoes to the skillet. Stir in the red pepper flakes (if using), black pepper, and salt to taste. Cover the skillet and let the tomatoes cook down and release their juices, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mixture should thicken slightly.
Step 4: Create Wells and Add the Eggs
- Once the tomato mixture has thickened, use a spoon to create small wells (indentations) in the sauce for each egg you plan to use. Crack the eggs directly into these wells.
Step 5: Cook the Eggs
- Cover the skillet again and cook over low to medium heat until the egg whites are set but the yolks are still runny, about 5-7 minutes. You can cook them longer if you prefer firmer yolks.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
- Once the eggs are cooked to your liking, remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish the menemen generously with freshly chopped parsley or dill. Serve immediately with plenty of crusty bread for dipping into the delicious sauce and runny egg yolks.
💡 Pro Tips
✔ Grating tomatoes? Cut in half and grate flesh-side down (discard skins).
✔ Creamier eggs: Stir gently with a fork for a scrambled texture (sakşuka style).
✔ Extra smoky flavor: Add ½ tsp smoked paprika or char the peppers first.
🍽 Serving Ideas
- With cheese: Crumbled feta or kasar cheese on top.
- Meaty twist: Add diced sucuk (Turkish sausage) with onions.
- Low-carb: Serve over avocado slices.
📊 Nutrition (Per Serving, Without Bread)
Calories: ~280 | Protein: 12g | Fat: 22g | Carbs: 10g | Fiber: 3g
🌶️ Variations
- Spicy: Add chopped green chilies or extra pul biber.
- Herbaceous: Mix in fresh mint or basil.
- Vegan: Swap eggs for silken tofu + turmeric for color.
Enjoy your homemade Turkish Menemen! Afiyet Olsun!
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