Don't you just love eggs for breakfast? There is something so wholesome about relishing freshly cooked eggs in the morning. As you know, there are many delicious ways to prepare eggs and each of us tends to have a favourite. Today, we invite you to check out yet another option, which will give your regular scrambled eggs a flavourful upgrade. We are talking about Menemen, a popular Turkish delicacy. Once you try this method of making eggs, you'll find it difficult to go back to the old ways. This dish is extremely simple to make and requires simple ingredients you will find in your kitchen. What's more, it can be ready in just 15-20 minutes!
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What Is Menemen?
Menemen requires simple ingredients. Photo Credit: Pexels
Menemen is a Turkish-style egg dish that includes scrambling eggs with a mixture of onions, peppers, tomatoes and herbs. It is named after a small town in the Izmir Province in western Turkey. Traditional recipes make use of sivri biber, a type of green hot pepper common in Turkish cuisine. You can substitute it with a similar pepper or green capsicum (bell pepper). Another traditional ingredient used to spice up Menemen is Aleppo pepper. In its place, you can use a combination of black pepper and red chilli flakes (paprika). Some versions of this dish also add mushrooms, cheese and/or specific types of cold cuts along with the eggs. Thus, you can always customise it according to your liking!
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What Is The Difference Between Menemen And Shakshouka?
Shakshouka is believed to have originated in North Africa. Photo Credit: Pixabay
It is widely considered that the Menemen originated in Turkey itself while Shakshouka is from North Africa. The base of both delicacies is typically made with tomatoes, onions and peppers sauteed in olive oil. However, the method of cooking the eggs and the seasonings used tend to vary. While menemen resembles scrambled eggs, shakshouka is more of a poached egg dish. In the latter, the eggs are allowed to remain whole, and the dish has a stew-like consistency. Menemen has a softer, silkier texture. Furthermore, cumin is often added to the shakshouka, while it is optional in menemen. Click here for the complete recipe for Shakshouka. As for menemen, get started with our easy recipe below:
How To Make Menemen At Home | Quick Recipe For Turkish Scrambled Eggs With Tomato And Peppers
Menemen can be ready in under half an hour. Photo Credit: Pixabay
Beat eggs with salt as well as pepper and keep them ready. A kind of doubled-handled pan called sahan is traditionally used to make this dish. You can use a shallow saucepan or wide-bottomed kadhai instead. In the vessel, heat oil and saute chopped onions and green chillies in it. Then add chopped and pureed tomatoes. Mix well. Add red chilli flakes, oregano, and salt. It is optional to add other herbs like thyme. Add the chopped green pepper/ capsicum and saute all the ingredients together. Once the tomatoes soften, pour the beaten egg mixture, and stir lightly to scramble. Garnish the menemen with parsley and serve hot with bread.
Click here for the full recipe for Turkish Scrambled Eggs.
Try making menemen for your next breakfast and let us know how you like it!
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