Recipes

Turkish Menemen

Serves 4

| Prep Time: 5 mins

| Cook Time: 15 mins

| Total Time: 20 mins

You may need: Urfa Biber

Discover The Recipe

Simple, savory, and scrumptious, this classic Turkish Menemen (Baked Tomatoes and Eggs) is a recipe we know you will be glad you added to your cooking repertoire. Sharing a name with a district of the coastal city of Izmir, Menemen represents all that we love about Mediterranean food: fresh, simple, healthy and packed with flavor. Traditionally served in metal pans at your table, you'll see the Turkish Menemen bubbling and sizzling around the rim, while remaining tender and slightly runny in the middle, perfect for sopping up with bread.

We're delighted to offer Urfa Biber, a variety of dried chili commonly used in Turkey and now, by in-the-know top chefs around the world. With a deep burgundy color and an equally deep, complex flavor profile, Urfa Biber will elevate a simple breakfast scramble (or just about any dish) to an authentic Turkish masterpiece. These chilis are harvested and dried in the sun by day and covered to "sweat" at night, preserving their natural essential oils. Urfa Biber chilis convey subtle notes of chocolate, raisins, wine, salt, and tobacco along with a mild heat. Try this spice in a range of dishes from savory to sweet. Try them in your next batch of brownies!

Ingredients

  • 1 sweet onion, chopped

  • 1 small green bell pepper, chopped

  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

  • 2 tsp Piquant Post Urfa Biber chili flakes

  • 2 cloves garlic, diced

  • 1/2 tsp salt (optional)

  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes

  • 5 eggs

Notes

Don’t overcook the eggs. This dish is meant to be slightly runny, and bread is used to sop up the delicious liquid.

If it is the height of summer and fresh tomatoes are in peak season, substitute these for the diced canned tomatoes.

Optional ingredients add a little character and flavor but don’t sweat it if you don’t have them.

Instructions

In a cast iron or non-stick pan, add the olive oil and heat over Med-High heat. Add the onions and peppers to the pan. Cook for about 3-4 min stirring as needed until they are soft and slightly browned.

Stir in garlic, Piquant Post Urfa Biber spice, and salt. Stir fry for one minute, until fragrant. Reduce heat to medium, add canned tomatoes, simmer for 5 minutes.

Use a spoon to create 5 divots in the tomato mixture. Gently crack eggs into divots. Simmer for about 5-8 minutes, until eggs are cooked to your desired liking.

Turn off the heat and serve immediately with warmed crusty bread and strong coffee.

Alternatives & Substitutions

  • Cook this ‘breakfast’ dish for dinner too!  Add spinach or other vegetables to make this an easy, balanced meal for any time of the day or night.

  • Heighten the flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean by topping with Chopped Olives and Feta Cheese, or if available an authentic white cheese from Turkey called Beyza Peynir.

  • Try our other recipes featuring Urfa Biber like Urfa Biber Honey Glazed Lamb Chops or Vegan Manti Turkish Dumplings, or our Ezogelin Soup

  • Or, elevate your next batch of brownies to master chef level by adding our Urfa Biber!  

  • Try Urfa Biber in a Turkish-style roasted eggplant dish.

  • Make a batch of Turkish chicken wings.

  • Are you a huge fan of egg salad sandwiches? Amp up your egg salad with Urfa Biber, of course!

  • Don't forget to leave comments and feedback on your meals and experiments in the comments for others to read.

  • Post pictures of your masterpiece meal on social media and tag us. We repost!

Turkish Menemen

Serves

4

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

20 mins

Piquant Post spice you'll need: Urfa Biber

Ingredients

  • 1 sweet onion, chopped

  • 1 small green bell pepper, chopped

  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

  • 2 tsp Piquant Post Urfa Biber chili flakes

  • 2 cloves garlic, diced

  • 1/2 tsp salt (optional)

  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes

  • 5 eggs

Instructions

  1. In a cast iron or non-stick pan, add the olive oil and heat over Med-High heat. Add the onions and peppers to the pan. Cook for about 3-4 min stirring as needed until they are soft and slightly browned.

  2. Stir in garlic, Piquant Post Urfa Biber spice, and salt. Stir fry for one minute, until fragrant. Reduce heat to medium, add canned tomatoes, simmer for 5 minutes.

  3. Use a spoon to create 5 divots in the tomato mixture. Gently crack eggs into divots. Simmer for about 5-8 minutes, until eggs are cooked to your desired liking.

  4. Turn off the heat and serve immediately with warmed crusty bread and strong coffee.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook the eggs. This dish is meant to be slightly runny, and bread is used to sop up the delicious liquid.

  • If it is the height of summer and fresh tomatoes are in peak season, substitute these for the diced canned tomatoes.

  • Optional ingredients add a little character and flavor but don’t sweat it if you don’t have them.

Liked This Recipe? Share It Now!

#PiquantPost