Description
Menemen is a classic Turkish breakfast dish featuring a flavorful scramble of eggs, tomatoes, peppers, and spices cooked gently on the stovetop. This easy, vibrant dish combines sautéed onions, green bell peppers, garlic, and ripe tomatoes with aromatic paprika and cumin, finished with runny eggs and fresh parsley. Perfect served with crusty bread for a comforting morning meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 ripe tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped (or 1 ½ cups canned diced tomatoes)
Spices
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Other
- 4 large eggs
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the aromatics.
- Sauté onions: Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened and translucent, releasing their sweetness.
- Add peppers: Stir in the chopped green bell pepper and cook for another 3–4 minutes until slightly tender but still vibrant.
- Add garlic: Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Incorporate tomatoes and spices: Stir in the chopped tomatoes, paprika, cumin (if using), salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld.
- Add eggs: Create small wells in the tomato mixture and carefully crack the eggs into each well.
- Cook eggs: Cover the pan and cook for 4–5 minutes on low heat, or until the eggs are just set but the yolks remain runny, according to preference.
- Finish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- For a spicier Menemen, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or substitute Turkish green chili peppers for the bell peppers.
- Traditionally, the eggs can be gently stirred into the tomato mixture in the last minute to create a more scrambled texture—adjust cooking based on your preferred egg consistency.
- Using fresh, ripe tomatoes will yield the best flavor, but canned diced tomatoes are a convenient alternative.
