Turkish Menemen Scramble (Print)

Soft eggs cooked with peppers, onions, and tomatoes, seasoned and perfect with crusty bread.

# Ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 medium green bell peppers, diced
04 - 3 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped

→ Eggs

05 - 6 large eggs
06 - Salt, to taste
07 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Additions

08 - ½ teaspoon ground sweet paprika
09 - ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, to taste
10 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
11 - Feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add the diced green bell peppers to the skillet and continue cooking for 3 to 4 minutes until they begin to soften.
03 - Stir in the peeled and chopped tomatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes until the tomatoes break down and the mixture becomes saucy.
04 - Season the tomato and pepper mixture with salt, freshly ground black pepper, ground sweet paprika, and red pepper flakes if using.
05 - Lightly beat the eggs in a bowl, then pour them evenly over the tomato-pepper mixture in the skillet.
06 - Allow the eggs to set slightly at the edges, then gently stir with a spatula, scraping from the edges toward the center. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the eggs are softly set but still creamy.
07 - Remove from heat immediately to prevent overcooking. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and crumbled feta cheese if desired. Serve warm, ideally with crusty bread.

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in less than half an hour but tastes like someone's been tending the stove all morning.
  • Soft, creamy eggs mixed with sweet peppers and tomatoes creates something that feels indulgent but is honestly just vegetables and eggs.
  • One skillet, minimal cleanup, and it's equally good for a quiet solo breakfast or feeding a small crowd.
02 -
  • Don't rush the peppers and onions—those 7 to 8 minutes of cooking are what turn them sweet and tender, not crunchy.
  • The eggs will continue cooking for a few seconds after you pull the pan off the heat, so remove them when they still look slightly underdone; that's when they'll be creamy.
  • If your tomatoes are watery, let them cook a bit longer to reduce their liquid, or the menemen will end up soupy instead of saucy.
03 -
  • Peel your fresh tomatoes by scoring an X on the bottom, dunking them briefly in boiling water, and slipping the skin off—they'll integrate into the sauce more smoothly than unpeeled ones.
  • If you can find Turkish red pepper paste or a spoonful of tomato paste, a small amount stirred in with the fresh tomatoes adds depth and complexity that makes the whole dish taste like you've been cooking it for hours.
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