Description
Menemen, a beloved Turkish egg scramble, combines ripe tomatoes, green peppers, and eggs in a skillet of savory delight. Fragrant spices and rich flavors create a simple yet satisfying breakfast you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 green Turkish peppers (or bell peppers), diced
- 2 large tomatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Eggs and Seasoning:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Garnishes and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) crumbled feta cheese
- Fresh parsley or dill for garnish
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers and ripples.
- Introduce finely chopped onions and diced peppers, sautéing until they become translucent and tender, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Incorporate minced garlic, stirring continuously for 30-45 seconds to release its aromatic essence without burning.
- Add peeled and diced tomatoes, allowing them to simmer and break down, creating a rich, thickened sauce over 5-6 minutes.
- Enhance the mixture with salt, ground black pepper, smoky paprika, and optional red pepper flakes for a subtle heat.
- Whisk eggs in a separate bowl until smoothly combined, then gently pour into the vegetable base.
- Fold eggs delicately through the mixture, creating soft curds and maintaining a creamy, wet texture – avoid overcooking.
- Optionally, scatter crumbled feta cheese across the surface, letting it slightly melt from the residual heat.
- Finish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or dill for a vibrant, herbaceous touch before serving immediately.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes and paprika for personalized spice intensity.
- Select ripe, firm tomatoes for best flavor and natural sweetness in the dish.
- Keep eggs slightly runny for authentic creamy Turkish-style scramble texture.
- Consider vegetarian modifications by adding extra vegetables like spinach or zucchini for more nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Turkish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 370 mg