Yalla Market
Turkish Menemen Recipe
Turkish
⏱ 20 mins
Easy
2 servings
Ahlan, my friend! Yalla Chef is so excited to bring you a classic Turkish delight that's perfect for a quick and satisfying lunch: Turkish Menemen! This vibrant, flavorful dish of scrambled eggs cooked with ripe tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, and onions is a true taste of the Mediterranean sunshine. It's incredibly easy to make, healthy, and utterly delicious, especially when scooped up with some fresh bread. Let's get cooking! Approximate nutrition per serving (without bread): 200-250 calories, 12-15g protein, 10-15g carbs, 15-20g fat.
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 3 medium ripe tomatoes, finely diced or grated
- 1 medium green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 small onion, finely diced Buy: Onion Powder · ₺55.99
- 2 tablespoons Biryağ Sunflower Oil Buy: Biryağ Sunflower Oil Large · ₺299.99
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste) Buy: Salt · ₺29.99
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste) Buy: Ground Black Pepper · ₺89.99
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- White Arabic Bread, for serving Buy: White Arabic Bread · ₺29.99
Preparation
- Start by preparing your vegetables: finely dice the onion and green bell pepper. For the tomatoes, you can either finely dice them or grate them for a smoother sauce – both ways are delicious!
- Heat the Biryağ Sunflower Oil in a medium non-stick pan or a traditional Turkish 'sahan' over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the diced green bell pepper to the pan with the onions. Continue to sauté for another 5-7 minutes, until the peppers are tender.
- Stir in the diced or grated tomatoes. Season with salt, black pepper, and the red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- While the tomato mixture is simmering, crack the eggs into a small bowl and whisk them lightly with a fork.
- Once the tomato sauce is ready, create small wells or indentations in the sauce with the back of a spoon. Pour the whisked eggs into these wells. You can either gently scramble the eggs into the sauce for a more integrated dish, or let them set slightly for a more 'poached' egg style within the sauc
- Cover the pan and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the eggs are set to your liking. The yolks can be runny or fully cooked, it's your preference!
- Remove from heat. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley.
- Serve your delicious Turkish Menemen immediately, straight from the pan, with plenty of warm White Arabic Bread for dipping. Afiyet olsun!
Pro Tips
- For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of dried mint along with the tomatoes.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a finely chopped fresh green chili with the bell peppers.
- Don't overcook the eggs! The beauty of Menemen is often in the slightly runny yolks that meld with the tomato sauce.