Description
Menemen is a traditional Turkish breakfast dish made by gently cooking eggs with tomatoes, green peppers, and onions in olive oil. This flavorful and hearty skillet dish is perfect for a nutritious start to your day and can also be enjoyed any time. The combination of fresh vegetables and eggs creates a comforting and delicious meal that’s quick to prepare and customizable with optional spices and garnishes like feta or parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper or Turkish green pepper, diced
- 2 medium tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste (optional)
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Chopped parsley or crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, creating a hot and evenly heated surface for cooking.
- Sauté onion: Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent, releasing its sweetness.
- Add pepper: Add the diced green bell pepper or Turkish pepper and continue sautéing for an additional 3–4 minutes until it becomes tender.
- Cook tomatoes: Stir in the peeled and chopped tomatoes along with the optional tomato paste. Cook the mixture for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens.
- Season: Season the tomato mixture with salt, black pepper, and cumin if desired, mixing well for balanced flavor.
- Add eggs: Crack the eggs directly over the tomato mixture in the skillet. Allow them to cook undisturbed for 1–2 minutes to begin setting.
- Cook eggs: Depending on your preference, gently stir the eggs to scramble slightly or leave them whole. Continue cooking until the eggs are just set but still soft and creamy.
- Finish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat and garnish with fresh chopped parsley or crumbled feta cheese if desired. Serve immediately, ideally with crusty bread to scoop up the flavorful mixture.
Notes
- Menemen is traditionally served for breakfast but is delicious any time of day.
- For extra richness, stir in a small amount of butter or sprinkle additional cheese before serving.
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best flavor and texture.
- You can adjust the cooking time of the eggs to your preferred level of doneness.
- Serving with crusty bread enhances the dish and helps scoop up the sauce.
