Description
Menemen is a popular Turkish breakfast dish featuring eggs scrambled with sautéed onions, green peppers, and tomatoes, seasoned with Aleppo pepper and served with fresh herbs and optional feta cheese or avocado. This quick and flavorful recipe yields a comforting and savory dish perfect for any morning.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small white onion, finely diced
- 1 large green bell pepper, diced (or substitute poblano or Anaheim pepper)
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with their juices
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper (or substitute with 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika plus a pinch of cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes)
- Fine sea salt, to taste
- Freshly-cracked black pepper, to taste
- 3-4 eggs
Garnishes (Optional)
- Sliced chives or chopped parsley
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Sliced avocado
Instructions
- Heat oil and sauté vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the finely diced onion and diced green bell pepper, cooking while stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Add tomatoes and spices: Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the canned diced tomatoes with their juices along with the butter, Aleppo pepper, fine sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Continue sautéing for 2 more minutes until the tomatoes are heated through and the flavors meld together.
- Add and cook eggs: Crack the eggs directly over the tomato and vegetable mixture and let sit undisturbed for about 1 minute to start setting. Gently break the yolks with a spoon and partially stir the eggs into the pan, leaving some swirled and soft. Cook until the eggs are just barely set but still soft, approximately 3 to 4 minutes depending on your preferred doneness.
- Serve with garnishes: Remove the pan from heat and serve immediately. Garnish with sliced chives, chopped parsley, crumbled feta cheese, or sliced avocado as desired. Serve with crusty sliced bread on the side to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Notes
- Aleppo pepper adds a mild heat and fruity flavor; substitute with smoked paprika and cayenne for a similar taste.
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for a fresher taste if preferred instead of canned.
- Adjust the number of eggs according to servings or appetite.
- Serve with crusty bread to complement the saucy texture.
- Menemen is best enjoyed fresh and hot for optimal flavor and texture.
