Description
Menemen is a classic Turkish egg scramble featuring sautéed onions, green bell peppers, and tomatoes, seasoned with Aleppo pepper and enhanced with butter for richness. This quick and flavorful dish is perfect for breakfast or brunch, served warm with crusty bread and optional garnishes like feta, chives, or avocado.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Staples
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small white onion, finely diced
- 1 large green bell pepper, diced
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with their juices
- 1 tablespoon butter
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
- fine sea salt, to taste
- freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Eggs
- 3-4 eggs
Optional Garnishes
- sliced chives or chopped parsley
- crumbled feta cheese
- 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. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until they soften and become fragrant.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the canned diced tomatoes with their juices, butter, and Aleppo pepper. Season with a generous pinch of fine sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir well to combine, then cook the mixture for 2 more minutes until the tomatoes are hot and flavorful.
- Add the eggs: Crack the eggs directly onto the tomato and vegetable mixture. Let the eggs cook undisturbed for about 1 minute, allowing the yolks to start setting. Then, use a spoon to gently break the yolks and partially stir the eggs into the tomato mixture to maintain swirly textures on top. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 more minutes until the eggs are just set but still soft, achieving the traditional creamy texture.
- Serve: Remove the pan from heat and serve the menemen immediately. Garnish with sliced chives or chopped parsley, crumbled feta, or sliced avocado if desired. This dish pairs deliciously with slices of crusty bread perfect for dipping.
Notes
- Use fresh Aleppo pepper for authentic mild heat; substitute with mild crushed red pepper flakes if unavailable.
- Green bell pepper adds sweetness and crunch; you may substitute with mild green chilies for extra heat.
- Cooking eggs gently and partially stirring keeps a soft, creamy texture traditional to menemen.
- Serve with fresh or toasted crusty bread to soak up the flavorful juices.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper, depending on your tomato brand.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
