Description
Menemen is a traditional Turkish breakfast dish featuring eggs gently cooked in a savory mixture of sautéed onions, bell peppers, garlic, and ripe tomatoes, seasoned with paprika and black pepper. This easy, flavorful skillet recipe offers a comforting start to the day and can be customized with optional chili flakes or feta for added richness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 large ripe tomatoes, grated or finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 4 large eggs
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: ½ teaspoon chili flakes for heat
Instructions
- Sauté onions: Heat the olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 3–4 minutes until it becomes translucent.
- Add bell pepper: Stir in the diced green bell pepper and continue cooking for another 3–4 minutes until the pepper softens.
- Add garlic: Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook tomato mixture: Stir in the grated tomatoes along with paprika, ground black pepper, salt, and optional chili flakes. Cook this mixture for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and most of the liquid evaporates.
- Add eggs: Create small wells in the tomato mixture and crack the eggs directly into the skillet. For slightly scrambled eggs, gently stir a little with a spoon; or keep them whole for a poached effect.
- Cook eggs: Cover the skillet and cook for 5–6 minutes, or until the eggs reach your preferred doneness.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot, ideally with crusty bread.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, add crumbled feta cheese or sliced sucuk (Turkish sausage) just before adding the eggs.
- Red bell pepper or spicy green chilies can be used instead of green bell pepper for variation.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with fresh crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
