Menemen (Turkish-Style Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes and Cream Cheese)

A hearty and flavorful Turkish dish made with tomatoes, eggs, and cream cheese. Perfect for breakfast or a light meal, best enjoyed with warm flatbread like khuboos.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil (or use only butter or oil)
• ¼ capsicum, finely chopped (add green chillies if you prefer it spicy)
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped or pureed
• 2–3 tbsp water
• 3 eggs
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• ¼ tsp cumin powder
• ¼ tsp fennel seeds or powder
• 2 tsp paprika
• 3–4 tbsp cream cheese
• Fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)

Optional Add-ins:

• Chopped onions
• Garlic
• Green chillies
• Seasonings of your choice (even just salt and pepper works beautifully)

Instructions:

1. Heat butter and olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add chopped capsicum (and chillies, if using) and sauté for a minute.
3. Stir in the tomatoes and water. Cover and cook on low heat until the tomatoes are soft and pulpy.
4. Gently mash the tomatoes with a spoon.
5. Add salt, pepper, cumin, fennel, and paprika. Mix well.
6. Whisk the eggs and pour them evenly over the tomato mixture. Stir gently to combine.
7. Cover and cook on low heat until the eggs are set to your preference.
8.  Add the cream cheese and allow it to soften. Gently mix it into the eggs.
9. Turn off the heat and garnish with chopped parsley.

To Serve:

Enjoy hot with khuboos, pita, or any flatbread. This dish is comforting, versatile, and packed with flavor.