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Turkish Menemen: Tomato and Green Pepper Scrambled Eggs Recipe

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4.1 from 133 reviews

Menemen is a traditional Turkish breakfast dish featuring scrambled eggs cooked gently with fresh tomatoes, green peppers, and aromatic spices. This flavorful and vibrant recipe is simple to prepare and perfect for a hearty morning meal or light lunch.

Ingredients

Vegetables and Spices

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 medium green peppers, chopped (Turkish peppers or any sweet green pepper)
  • 4 large tomatoes (about 1 cup), peeled and diced
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Eggs and Garnish

  • 4 medium eggs
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil: Place a medium-sized skillet or frying pan over medium heat and add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Allow the oil to warm up but not smoke.
  2. Sauté the peppers: Add the chopped green peppers to the pan and cook for 3-5 minutes until they become soft and tender, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
  3. Add tomatoes and spices: Stir in the peeled and diced tomatoes along with ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Cook the mixture for about 5-7 minutes until the tomatoes have broken down and the mixture is slightly saucy.
  4. Prepare the eggs: Crack the 4 medium eggs directly into the tomato and pepper mixture. Using a spatula, gently scramble the eggs by stirring slowly and allowing them to cook gradually. Keep stirring until the eggs are softly set but still moist and creamy.
  5. Finish and garnish: Remove the pan from heat once the eggs reach your preferred consistency. Sprinkle the finely chopped parsley over the menemen for a fresh and vibrant garnish. Serve immediately, ideally with warm crusty bread or Turkish pide.

Notes

  • For a spicier version, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • If fresh Turkish peppers are unavailable, substitute with any sweet bell pepper or mild green chili peppers.
  • To peel tomatoes easily, score the bottoms and blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds, then plunge into ice water before peeling.
  • Menemen is best served fresh and hot to enjoy the creamy texture of the eggs.
  • This recipe is naturally gluten-free and can be made suitable for vegetarians.

Find it online: https://familydinnercooking.com/turkish-menemen-tomato-and-green-pepper-scrambled-eggs-recipe/