Menemen (Turkish Scrambled Eggs)
Menemen is a Turkish breakfast made with softly scrambled eggs, tomatoes, peppers, sujuk, and cheese. Everything cooks in one pan and takes about 20 minutes, making it an easy breakfast or brunch with plenty of flavor and very little prep.
History
Menemen is a traditional Turkish egg dish made by cooking eggs gently with tomatoes and peppers. It takes its name from Menemen, a district in İzmir Province in western Turkey.
There are many variations, with ingredients such as onion, cheese, or sausage added depending on the recipe. This version includes sujuk and cheese for a richer, more substantial breakfast.
Ingredient Notes
- Sujuk: Sujuk is a strongly seasoned Turkish sausage with garlic and spices. Cut it into small pieces so it browns quickly and distributes evenly throughout the eggs. It can be quite salty, so keep that in mind when seasoning the tomato mixture.
- Jalapeño: Removing the seeds and white membrane keeps the heat more controlled while still giving the dish fresh pepper flavor.
- Tomato: Grating the tomato gives you the pulp and juice without leaving pieces of skin in the finished dish. Use a ripe, flavorful tomato since it forms the base of the sauce.
- Red Chili Flakes: Chili flakes add extra heat to the tomato mixture. Adjust the amount depending on the strength of your chili and how spicy you want the finished dish.
- Turkish Hard Cheese: Use a firm Turkish cheese that melts well. If you cannot find one, substitute another melting cheese such as cheddar. The flavor will be slightly different.
- Eggs: Use fresh eggs for the best flavor and texture. Add them directly to the pan rather than whisking them first, as this allows you to gently break the yolks and create the soft, uneven curds characteristic of this version of menemen.
- Fresh Parsley: Parsley is added at the end for freshness and color.
Expert Tips
Brown the Sujuk Before Adding the Tomato
Give the sausage enough time to develop some color and crisp slightly around the edges. This improves both its texture and the flavor it contributes to the pan.
Don’t Fully Scramble the Eggs
Break the yolks after adding the eggs, then move them gently through the tomato mixture. You want ribbons and soft curds of egg rather than a completely uniform scramble.
Take the Pan Off the Heat While the Eggs Are Still Soft
The eggs continue cooking from the residual heat in the pan. Turn off the heat while they are still slightly softer than you want them, then cover the pan for the final minute while the remaining cheese melts.
Storage and Leftovers
Menemen is best eaten immediately while the eggs are still soft and creamy. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, although the texture of the eggs will become firmer after chilling.
Reheat gently in a frying pan over low heat or in short intervals in the microwave until just warmed through. Avoid overheating, as this can make the eggs rubbery.
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Menemen (Turkish Scrambled Eggs)
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 jalapeño seeds and white membrane removed, finely chopped
- 2 oz Turkish sausage sujuk, cut into small pieces
- 1 tomato grated, skin discarded
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red chili flakes
- Salt to taste
- 2 oz Turkish hard cheese grated, divided
- 2 eggs
- Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
- Extra red chili flakes for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Add the jalapeño and cook for 1-2 minutes, until slightly softened.
- Add the sujuk and cook until lightly browned and crisp around the edges.
- Add the grated tomato, black pepper, chili flakes, and salt. Mix well, cover, and cook for 6-8 minutes, until the tomatoes have softened and reduced into a thick sauce.
- Remove the lid and stir in most of the cheese. Cook until melted into the tomato mixture.
- Crack the eggs directly into the pan. Gently break the yolks and move the eggs through the sauce without fully scrambling them. Cover and cook for 2 minutes.
- Remove the lid and gently stir the eggs through the mixture until softly scrambled.
- Sprinkle over the remaining cheese, parsley, and extra chili flakes. Turn off the heat, cover, and leave for 1 minute, until the cheese has melted.
- Serve immediately with bread or keto bread.
Absolutely delicious!! Loved it Thanks Shail!!!