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Menemen is a Turkish-style scrambled eggs mixed with tomatoes and chillies. It is a tasty and simple dish to make and enjoyed any time of day.

Do you like browsing through social media to look for meal inspiration?

I admit I scroll through videos and become so hungry sometimes or my eyes cannot bear the yummy goodness I see that I stop.

It is either cook based on the last video I saw, as long as the ingredients are available or abandon the idea and look for something to make in the kitchen.

Meal planning is not my forte. I open the fridge most days and see what is in there, look in the cupboards to check what to mix in with what in the fridge and then cook.

Most days there are eggs in the house so boiled, fried, omelette or scrambled eggs they would become.

If we are lucky and have tomatoes then scrambled eggs with tomatoes is on the menu. Since most days I am the only one who eats eggs with tomatoes I go all out and add fresh and dried chillies too.

After browsing social media and seeing Turkish-style scrambled eggs and remembering how to make it, guess what’s cooking?

A handful of times I have tried menemen at a place near us for lunch. The menu indicated all the ingredients for when it would be tried at home.

With all the ingredients needed for a simple menemen, eggs, tomatoes, chillies, seasoning and oil, it is a must to make it at home.

Menemen as many would say is a traditional breakfast in Turkey eaten with bread but there are no rules so, anyone can enjoy it any time of day.

How often do you try to cook a new dish?

Have you tried and made Menemen before?

What is Menemen?

Menemen is a traditional Turkish breakfast dish of scrambled eggs mixed with tomatoes, chillies and olive oil along with seasonings. It is an egg dish enjoyed not only for breakfast but also at any time of day.

Ingredients for Menemen

This recipe is not traditional but based on recipes and on experience from watching people cook on tv, social media or from eating out.

Some recipes would not call for onion but I add some for the savouriness and sweetness it adds to the dish. Some add cheese but I have not tried it. If you have tried or like it with cheese, what cheeses do you add?

Extra Virgin Olive oil

Onion – yellow onion was used in the recipe

Peppers – Turkish green peppers were used in this recipe, other peppers that are sweet or mild could also be used

Tomatoes – it is best to use ripe and juicy tomatoes or drained tinned tomatoes work well

Eggs – lightly beaten eggs cooked gently and removed from heat to avoid overcooking

Chillies – red pepper flakes to add heat to the dish, if available use Aleppo pepper for a more authentic taste but chillies work well for that heat needed

Paprika – hot smoked paprika for the heat

Salt and Freshly cracked black pepper – added as seasoning to taste

How is Menemen prepared?

On medium heat, add oil into a pan, add the onion and peppers and saute for about 5 minutes. Season with chillies and paprika.

Add the tomatoes and cook until soft. When the tomatoes are cooked, add the lightly beaten eggs to the pan. Stir frequently but gently and cook until just set then remove from heat.

Let the residual heat cook the eggs. Serve in the same pan or plate and serve immediately.

Garnish with chopped herbs like parsley, basil, chives or corainder. Serve with bread.

How to serve Turkish-style scrambled eggs

Serve menemen hot with bread. Places I have been served the scrambled eggs with sourdough bread to dip into the eggs or fresh crusty bread. Serve with a hot cup of tea.

How do you serve menemen?

Try these easy and delicious egg recipes next

Tomato and Egg Stir-fry

Tortang Talong

Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes

If you prefer to learn by watching, you can find a video of this recipe on Youtube.

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Let’s get cooking.