Menemen with Cheese Recipe: A Creamy Turkish Breakfast

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Menemen is one of the most beloved Turkish breakfast dishes. It’s a delicious scramble of eggs, tomatoes, and peppers, cooked in olive oil and seasoned to perfection. When you add cheese, it becomes creamier and even more satisfying — a perfect dip for fresh bread.

Servings: 2–3
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 2 green peppers (Turkish sivri biber or bell pepper), sliced
  • 3 medium tomatoes, peeled and finely diced (or grated)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup white cheese (beyaz peynir) or feta, crumbled
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1/2 teaspoon pul biber (Turkish red pepper flakes)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  • Cook the Peppers: Heat olive oil or butter in a pan over medium heat. Add sliced green peppers and sauté until softened, about 4–5 minutes.
  • Add the Tomatoes: Stir in the diced (or grated) tomatoes. Cook for 6–7 minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes saucy. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  • Add the Eggs: Crack the eggs directly into the pan. Gently stir them into the tomato mixture, keeping them slightly runny if you prefer a softer texture.
  • Add the Cheese: Sprinkle crumbled white cheese over the menemen. Stir gently until the cheese melts into the eggs and tomatoes, creating a creamy texture.
  • Finish and Serve: Season with pul biber for a hint of spice, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot with warm bread for dipping.

Things to Consider

  • Cheese Choice: Turkish beyaz peynir is traditional, but feta or mozzarella also work well.
  • Egg Texture: Some like their menemen very soft and runny, others prefer well-cooked. Stir less for runny, longer for firm.
  • No Peeling Tomatoes? Grating tomatoes is a quick way to get a smooth texture without skin.

Tips

  • Bread Pairing: Serve with Turkish pide, lavash, or simit for dipping.
  • Make it Spicy: Add sliced sucuk (Turkish beef sausage) or chili peppers for a richer version.
  • Family Style: Cook and serve in the same pan — traditional Turkish style.

This Menemen with Cheese is creamy, rich, and comforting — a true taste of a Turkish breakfast table. Afiyet olsun!

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