Menemen Recipe: Turkish Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes Recipe
Menemen is a classic Turkish breakfast dish featuring scrambled eggs cooked gently with fresh tomatoes, peppers, and onions, seasoned with aromatic spices. This vibrant and flavorful recipe results in a comforting, savory meal perfect for mornings, served best with crusty bread to soak up the luscious sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 3 to 4 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper (Anaheim or Holland peppers can be used), cored, seeded, and chopped
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 2 vine-ripe tomatoes, chopped
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- Black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper, plus more for serving
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- Crushed red pepper flakes, optional for added heat
- 1 French baguette, thickly sliced, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper, seasoning lightly with kosher salt. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until the vegetables are softened but the onions remain translucent and not browned.
- Add Tomatoes and Spices: Stir in the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste. Season with additional kosher salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and Aleppo pepper. Continue cooking over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the tomatoes soften yet retain some shape, creating a chunky sauce.
- Cook the Eggs: Push the tomato and pepper mixture to one side of the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low, pour the beaten eggs into the empty side of the skillet, and cook gently. Stir the eggs carefully and occasionally until they are just set but still creamy. Then fold the tomato mixture into the eggs, combining gently to meld the flavors.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil over the cooked menemen and sprinkle with additional Aleppo pepper and crushed red pepper flakes if you enjoy spice. Serve immediately with thick slices of French baguette to soak up the delicious mixture.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best flavor and vibrant color in the dish.
- Aleppo pepper is mildly spicy and fruity; if unavailable, substitute with a mix of paprika and mild chili flakes.
- Traditional menemen is cooked gently to achieve soft, creamy eggs without drying out.
- Serving with crusty bread is customary to scoop up the dish, but it can also be enjoyed on its own.
- Adjust spice levels by varying the Aleppo pepper and crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
Keywords: menemen, Turkish scrambled eggs, Turkish breakfast, eggs with tomatoes, Mediterranean breakfast, easy breakfast recipe
