TurkishBreakfast ClubMenemen Recipe(Turkish Scrambled Eggs With Tomatoes)
This simple one-pan dish comes together in 20 minutes or less, and makes the perfect breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
What is menemen? 
Menemen is basically scrambled eggs with tomatoes, peppers and, sometimes, onions. The seasoning is quite simple and often includes a dash of dried herbs (oregano,sumac,salt,red spiciese pepper) and a touch of heat from some red Turkish chili flakes called “isot". We used a combination of Aleppo-style pepper, which adds depth and a subtle sweetness, and a dash of hot red pepper flakes for some heat. Key ingredients Turkish pepper and tomato paste .
1 - Cook the onions, peppers and tomatoesThe first step is to make the chunky tomato mixture. Chop up 1 green pepper (I used mild bell pepper) and 1 yellow onion. Grab a good 10-inch pan (we use cast iron, but you can use any skillet or pan of this size). Heat up some good extra-virgin olive oil or butter and sauté the onions and peppers, seasoned with a good pinch of kosher salt, for a little bit until softened (about 5 minutes).
Add chopped tomatoes (2 vine-ripe tomatoes) and 3 tablespoon of tomato paste. Season with a little more kosher salt. Add black pepper, ½ teaspoon dried oregano and 1 teaspoon Aleppo-style pepper, ½ teaspoon sumac. Cook over medium heat until the tomatoes soften, for about 7 minutes.
2 - Add tomatoes and tomato paste. Pepper paste3 - Add the eggs and cook gently Keep the tomato mixture in the skillet, Lower the heat to medium-low, add 4 beaten eggs and cook gently until the eggs are just set. mix gently (don't linger too long here so you do not overcook the eggs).
4 - Finish with olive oil and more seasoningAs soon as the tomato mixture and eggs are incorporated, immediately remove the skillet from the heat. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add a good drizzle of some excellent extra virgin olive oil and a dash more dried ISOT red peppers. Serve immediately with some good hearty bread
Menemen vs. Shakshuka
Menemen vs. Shakshuka
Some wonder if menemen is the same as shakshuka. I consider them close cousins. The two popular egg dishes are quite similar since they share some key ingredients (eggs, tomatoes, peppers, and onions), but the seasoning and preparations differ.
Aside from flavor, probably the most obvious difference between today's menemen recipe and my earlier shakshuka (or even green shakshuka) is the way the eggs are cooked. Here the eggs are scrambled whereas with shakshuka, the eggs are braised undisturbed in the chunky tomato mixture, so the result is more of a sunny-side-up look.