Menemen coming to the table in a special pan called a ‘sahan’, accompanied by fresh, crusty bread is a pretty common sight anywhere in Turkey for a hearty breakfast, quick lunch or comforting dinner. Yes! These eggs are your anytime meal, the perfect breakfast for dinner recipe. Menemen is very simple and basic at its soul. It’s just the cooking technique that you need to perfect to make authentic Turkish Scrambled Eggs. We are always looking for new ways to cook our eggs in the mornings. We make Shakshuka (our all time favorite) and Egg Bhurji (Indian style Scrambled Eggs), which I grew up on, all the time. Menemen, those softly scrambled eggs that are a little runny or just set in, enveloped with a tasty tomato and onion mixture, won our hearts big time. For many Turkish people, perfectly cooked Menemen often brings a smile on their faces, and they are quite passionate about how they cook this simple staple in their kitchen. Slowly but surely, this Turkish dish is gaining popularity all over the world.
Why You Will Love This Turkish Breakfast Recipe,
What is Menemen?
Menemen is a very popular and traditional Turkish egg dish that is served as an “anytime meal” all over the country. It’s named after the town of Menemen in the Izmir province in western Turkey, where the dish supposedly originated. The main ingredients of Menemen are eggs, tomatoes and green peppers, with very few subtle spices. The preparation involves sautéing the tomatoes and peppers, then adding the lightly beaten eggs into the pan, and stirring gently until just barely set. The result is a dish that lies somewhere between a scrambled egg and a tomato-pepper egg stew. However, like many traditional dishes, there are variations in the recipe from region to region, and even from household to household. The question of whether to include onions in menemen is a topic of lively debate among Turkish food enthusiasts. Some people believe that onions should not be included in menemen, arguing that their strong flavor overpowers the other ingredients. This camp insists that the authentic taste of menemen comes from the simple combination of eggs, tomatoes, and peppers. On the other hand, there are those who believe that onions add depth and sweetness to the dish, enhancing the flavor profile and creating a more robust meal. They argue that onions provide a nice counterbalance to the acidity of the tomatoes and the heat of the peppers. There’s no definitive answer to this debate, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. (Though my onion-phobic husband has very much made up his mind on the matter) Menemen is traditionally cooked and served in a type of pan called a “sahan”. This is a shallow, usually round, pan or dish made out of metal. The dish is cooked on the stove in this pan, and then often served directly in the same pan with thick, crusty bread.
Is Menemen The Same As Shakshuka?
Menemen and Shakshuka are similar in that they are both egg-based dishes that use tomatoes and peppers, but they are not the same dish. There are several differences between the two dishes. Shakshuka, is a dish of North African and Middle Eastern origins, most popularly associated with Israeli cuisine today. While it also uses tomatoes and peppers, Shakshuka often includes other ingredients like chili peppers, garlic, and cumin. A significant difference is that in Shakshuka, the eggs are usually poached whole in the tomato-pepper sauce, rather than being scrambled in as they are in Menemen. This gives Shakshuka its characteristic appearance of whole eggs sitting in a rich sauce. After you’ve tried menemen, be sure to check out our Shakshuka Recipe.
Ingredients Needed
Extra virgin olive and butter – You will find both in many traditional Menemen recipes. Butter adds extra flavor to the dish. Veggies – Onion, tomatoes, green pepper (you can use green bell pepper, poblano pepper or Anaheim pepper). We used a little hot green pepper to add a dash of heat, which is totally optional. In Turkey, green peppers like Turkish sivri biber or çarliston biber, which have a milder heat, are used. Spices – Aleppo pepper or red chili flakes, oregano, black pepper (freshly cracked). Eggs – We used 5 eggs, but you can use more or less eggs in this recipe. Salt Parsley – For garnish.
Aleppo Pepper and it’s Substitutes
Aleppo is a pepper variety that is named after the city of Aleppo in Northern Syria. It’s a common ingredient in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes and is known for its unique, fruity flavor and moderate heat level. In terms of heat, Aleppo pepper is typically less spicy than a jalapeño but slightly hotter than a bell pepper. As with just about anything these days, it is readily available online. For truly authentic menemen, we do recommend ordering it. You can find some other uses for it in our collection of favorite Middle Eastern recipe. If you don’t have any on hand and just have to try these Turkish scrambled eggs right now, substitute with a combination of paprika and red chili flakes.
Turkish Scrambled Eggs Recipe
- Sauté veggies: Heat extra virgin olive oil in sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add onion and chopped poblano or bell peppers, along with long hot peppers, and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
- Add the tomatoes and spices: Add the chopped tomatoes and sauté for a couple of minutes. Add Aleppo peppers or red chili flakes, along with oregano, salt and pepper. Cook for a few minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes. Stir in butter and mix well.
- Add the eggs: Crack the eggs on top of tomato mixture. Let the eggs cook for a couple of minutes. Use a spoon to break the yolks and briefly stir and scramble the eggs into the tomato mixture. Don’t stir too much, you juts need it to mix well well with the mixture. Cook until the eggs reach your desired level of doneness. (Traditionally, the eggs are cooked until just barely set, yet still soft, about 3 to 4 minutes total).
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and a few drizzles of extra virgin olive oil, and serve it with crusty, warm bread.
Tips and Tricks
Variations
Menemen is a great egg dish, full of simple yet delicious flavors. Make this for your next breakfast. I bet you will like it so much that it might become your go to “anytime meal” in no time. Give your regular scrambled eggs a HUGE makeover with these Turkish style eggs, cooked just right. Easy and simple, just the way good food should be…
Menemen, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
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