Turkish Menemen: Spiced Tomato and Egg Scramble Recipe
Menemen is a traditional Turkish dish of scrambled eggs cooked with tomatoes, peppers, and onions, flavored with aromatic spices and served warm with crusty bread. This quick and satisfying recipe offers a vibrant, comforting breakfast or brunch option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper (Anaheim or Holland peppers also work), cored, seeded, and chopped
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 2 vine-ripe tomatoes, chopped
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- Black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper (plus more for garnish)
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- Crushed red pepper flakes, optional for extra spice
- 1 French baguette, thickly sliced for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a 10-inch skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and peppers, seasoning with kosher salt. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until the vegetables soften without browning the onions.
- Cook Tomatoes: Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste to the skillet. Season with additional kosher salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and Aleppo pepper. Cook on medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften but maintain their shape.
- Add Eggs: Push the tomato and pepper mixture to one side of the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low, then pour in the beaten eggs. Stir gently as the eggs cook briefly, just until set. Fold the tomato mixture into the eggs, combining everything evenly.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil over the top and sprinkle with more Aleppo pepper and optional crushed red pepper flakes if you like it spicy. Serve immediately with thick slices of French baguette for dipping.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best flavor and texture.
- Aleppo pepper offers a mild heat and fruity flavor, but you can substitute with paprika or chili flakes if unavailable.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful eggs and tomato mixture.
- For a dairy variation, warm feta cheese on top after cooking for a creamy touch.
- Adjust the spiciness by varying the amount of Aleppo and crushed red pepper flakes.
