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Spanish Style Scrambled Eggs Recipe

Featured in Morning Meal Ideas.

This Spanish-style scrambled eggs recipe transforms ordinary eggs into a vibrant breakfast dish with the addition of shishito or Padrón peppers, ripe tomatoes, and aromatic paprika. The secret to its rich flavor lies in the slow-cooking method, where onions and peppers are gently softened before being combined with eggs. The technique of removing half the vegetable mixture and folding it back in at the end ensures perfect texture and even distribution. The dish can be customized with Aleppo or Urfa chilies for authenticity, and while not traditional, a sprinkle of fresh chives adds a pleasant finishing touch.
A young woman with long, wavy hair wearing glasses is seated at a table, holding a menu and looking thoughtfully to the side in a softly lit restaurant.
Updated on Sat, 18 Jan 2025 16:58:21 GMT
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Menemen (Turkish-Style Scrambled Eggs With Tomatoes, Onions, and Chilies) Recipe Pin it
Menemen (Turkish-Style Scrambled Eggs With Tomatoes, Onions, and Chilies) Recipe | quickierecipe.com

Menemen represents the heart and soul of Turkish breakfast culture. This humble yet extraordinary dish transforms simple ingredients - eggs, tomatoes, and peppers - into a creamy, comforting masterpiece that graces breakfast tables across Turkey. The magic lies in the gentle cooking process, where eggs become silken clouds nestled among tender vegetables, creating a dish that's both rustic and refined.

During my travels through Istanbul, I discovered Menemen in a tiny café tucked away from the tourist crowds. The elderly cook showed me how she let the vegetables slowly soften until they nearly melted, creating an intensely flavorful base. This patience, she explained, was the secret to exceptional Menemen.

Essential Ingredients and Selection Tips

  • Fresh tomatoes: Choose ripe, fragrant tomatoes at their peak. Roma or vine-ripened varieties offer the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
  • Peppers: Traditional Turkish sivri peppers are ideal, but shishito or Padrón peppers make excellent substitutes. Their mild heat and tender flesh perfectly complement the eggs.
  • Fresh eggs: Farm-fresh eggs with bright orange yolks will elevate your Menemen. Always use them at room temperature.
  • Quality olive oil: A fruity, cold-pressed olive oil creates the foundation for all the flavors.
  • Fresh herbs: Keep them seasonal: parsley and mint in summer, oregano and thyme in cooler months.

Detailed Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Base
Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-low heat. Add finely diced onions, cooking until translucent but not browned. Season with salt to help onions release their moisture. Add sliced peppers, stirring occasionally until they become tender. This process should take 10-12 minutes - patience is crucial.
Step 2: Build the Tomato Layer
Add diced tomatoes to the softened vegetables. Season with paprika, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Simmer gently until tomatoes break down and form a thick sauce. The color should deepen and intensify. This stage typically takes 15-20 minutes of gentle cooking.
Step 3: Master the Egg Technique
Crack room temperature eggs into a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Beat them lightly - you want visible streaks of white and yolk. Create wells in your vegetable mixture. Pour eggs slowly into these pockets. Fold gently with a wooden spoon, maintaining distinct curds.
Step 4: Perfect the Final Stage
Cook until eggs are just set but still glossy. Remove from heat while slightly underdone. Cover and let rest for 2 minutes. The residual heat will complete the cooking process. Garnish with fresh herbs just before serving.
yummy Menemen (Turkish-Style Scrambled Eggs With Tomatoes, Onions, and Chilies) Recipe Pin it
yummy Menemen (Turkish-Style Scrambled Eggs With Tomatoes, Onions, and Chilies) Recipe | quickierecipe.com

My first attempt at Menemen taught me that patience truly is a virtue. Rushing the vegetable base left me with watery tomatoes and crunchy peppers - quite different from the silky dish I'd enjoyed in Turkey.

Cultural Significance

Menemen isn't just breakfast; it's a morning ritual deeply woven into Turkish society. Named after a district in İzmir, this dish represents the Turkish approach to morning meals - unhurried, social, and deeply satisfying. In traditional Turkish homes, breakfast isn't just about sustenance; it's about connection and conversation.

Regional Variations

Every region in Turkey has its own interpretation of Menemen. In coastal areas, you might find it studded with salty white cheese. Head inland, and you'll discover versions with spicy sucuk sausage. Some families guard recipes that have been passed down for generations, each with its own secret ingredient or technique.

Perfect Pairings

Turkish tea, served in delicate tulip-shaped glasses, is the traditional accompaniment. The tea's astringency beautifully balances the richness of the eggs. Some prefer Turkish coffee, its bold flavor complementing the subtle spices in the dish.

easy Menemen (Turkish-Style Scrambled Eggs With Tomatoes, Onions, and Chilies) Recipe Pin it
easy Menemen (Turkish-Style Scrambled Eggs With Tomatoes, Onions, and Chilies) Recipe | quickierecipe.com

Chef's Helpful Tips

Having cooked this dish countless times, I've come to appreciate how it embodies the essence of Turkish cuisine - simple ingredients transformed through careful technique and patience. Each time I prepare it, I'm reminded that sometimes the most meaningful dishes are the ones that require us to slow down and appreciate the process as much as the result.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of peppers can I use?
You can use shishito, Padrón, or Chinese green long peppers in this recipe.
→ Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use drained canned tomatoes as a substitute for fresh tomatoes.
→ What's the best pan to use?
Either a medium nonstick or cast iron skillet works well for this recipe.
→ Can I substitute the paprika?
Yes, you can use Aleppo or Urfa chilies for a more authentic flavor.
→ Why remove half the vegetable mixture?
This technique ensures even distribution and perfect texture when folded back into the finished eggs.

Spanish Style Scrambled Eggs

Creamy scrambled eggs cooked Spanish-style with sweet peppers, tomatoes, and paprika for a flavorful morning meal.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Meryem

Category: Breakfast

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Yield: 2 Servings

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Core Ingredients

01 Extra-virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons (45ml)
02 Hot paprika, 1/2 teaspoon (1g) - Aleppo or Urfa chilies work wonderfully too
03 Dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon (optional but adds lovely depth)
04 4 large eggs (200g), lightly beaten

→ Fresh Vegetables

05 Small onion, finely diced (about 3/4 cup; 39g)
06 Shishito, Padrón, or Chinese green long pepper, finely diced (3/4 cup; 90g)
07 Ripe fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped, or drained canned tomatoes (1/2 cup; 100g)

→ Seasonings & Garnish

08 Kosher salt to taste
09 Freshly ground black pepper (be generous!)
10 Fresh chives for garnish (optional but highly recommended)

Instructions

Step 01

Start with your skillet over low heat, warming the olive oil until it's just barely warm. Add your paprika and oregano if using, followed by the diced onion and peppers. Season generously with salt and plenty of black pepper - don't be shy here! Cook everything slowly, stirring often, until the vegetables become wonderfully soft, about 8 minutes.

Step 02

Once your vegetables are soft, add those tomatoes and keep cooking, stirring frequently, until the color deepens and intensifies. Take half of this gorgeous mixture out and set it aside - we'll need it later!

Step 03

Put your pan back on the heat and pour in those beaten eggs, seasoned with salt and pepper. Stir gently but frequently until the eggs are just barely set - we want them creamy! Quick now - take the pan off the heat and fold in that reserved vegetable mixture you set aside earlier.

Step 04

If you're using chives (and why wouldn't you?), sprinkle them over the top and serve right away while everything's hot and perfect.

Notes

  1. For a more authentic flavor, try using Aleppo or Urfa chilies instead of paprika
  2. While chives aren't traditional, they're a perfect match with eggs
  3. This dish is best served immediately while the eggs are still perfectly creamy

Tools You'll Need

  • Medium nonstick or cast iron skillet (both work beautifully)
  • Sharp knife for vegetable prep

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains eggs

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 285
  • Total Fat: 23.2 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 8.5 g
  • Protein: 14.8 g