Description
Menemen is a traditional Turkish egg scramble featuring sautéed onions, green bell peppers, and juicy tomatoes, gently cooked with eggs until soft and creamy. This vibrant and comforting dish is seasoned with Aleppo pepper and finished with optional fresh garnishes, making it a perfect savory breakfast or light meal served with crusty bread for dipping.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small white onion, finely diced
- 1 large green bell pepper, diced
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
Dairy and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
- Fine sea salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Eggs and Garnishes
- 3-4 eggs
- Optional garnishes: sliced chives or chopped parsley; crumbled feta or sliced avocado
Instructions
- Sauté the veggies: Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the finely diced onion and diced green bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the canned diced tomatoes with their juices, butter, Aleppo pepper, and a generous pinch of fine sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir everything together until combined, then sauté for another 2 minutes until the tomatoes are heated through.
- Add the eggs: Crack the eggs directly over the tomato and vegetable mixture. Let them cook undisturbed for about 1 minute. Then gently break the yolks with a spoon and partially stir the eggs into the mixture, maintaining swirled patches of egg on top. Continue cooking for about 2-3 more minutes, or until the eggs are softly set but still creamy, adjusting the time to your preferred level of doneness.
- Serve: Serve the menemen immediately, garnished with your choice of sliced chives, chopped parsley, crumbled feta, or sliced avocado. Accompany with crusty sliced bread for dipping to complete the meal.
Notes
- To keep the eggs tender and creamy, avoid over-stirring; partial stirring creates a nice texture with swirls of cooked egg.
- Aleppo pepper adds a mild, fruity heat; if unavailable, substitute with mild chili flakes or paprika with a pinch of cayenne.
- Use fresh tomatoes if preferred, but canned diced tomatoes add convenience and consistent flavor.
- This dish pairs well with rustic bread or pita to scoop up the scramble.
- For a richer dish, add crumbled feta or a drizzle of olive oil on top before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
