One of the greatest things about living in Turkey is the food. I've eaten out more since I've lived here than I have at any other time in my life, and I've never had a bad meal. I have had a couple of cases of food poisoning, but even the food that turned to poison tasted great while I ate it.
Pictured at left, is the plate of warm menemen that I had this afternoon. It has become a habit to grab a quick lunch after Wednesday's Turkish class. There are several sidewalk cafes from which to choose in Etiler; today we chose " Mado". It's a funny little place, where the menu has 4 pages of ice cream desserts, and only one page of actual food. But everything is tasty, and you can relax outside in the sunshine, spending as long as you wish to sit and chat. A Turkish waiter will never hurry a customer out the door.
Menemen is called a Turkish omelette, but in fact it is actually scrambled eggs sauted with tomatoes, onions and peppers. I've had it at several different places, and it is always served in it's own dish, usually copper. The eggs are soft and light, never dry, and never, ever rubbery. It is always perfectly seasoned. Recipes mention just using salt and pepper, but I think there is something else in there--something I haven't quite figured out yet. At any rate, mememen is absolutely delicious--much more so than scrambled eggs or omelettes.
Here's a basic recipe for Menemen, although if you google it, you'll find lots of variations. And nothing beats eating it on a warm afternoon, overlooking the Bospherus.
Menemen
6 eggs, well-beaten
4 juicy tomatoes, peeled and diced
1 onion, finely chopped
4 fresh banana peppers, finely chopped
1/2 bunch flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
2 tsp spicy pepper flakes
1 tsp black pepper
salt
1-2 tbsp butter or oil, or combination
Nothing is written in stone, so you can use more or less of anything above. Feel free to add add pitted and chopped olives, garlic, or cheese.
-In a frying pan heat oil and add onion. Cook on medium until they're soft and then add fresh peppers.
-Once they're cooked, pour in tomatoes, salt, and both peppers. Wait until tomatoes cook down a little. -Stir in beaten eggs and stir constantly.
-Right before eggs are cooked, add chopped parsley.
Menemen
6 eggs, well-beaten
4 juicy tomatoes, peeled and diced
1 onion, finely chopped
4 fresh banana peppers, finely chopped
1/2 bunch flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
2 tsp spicy pepper flakes
1 tsp black pepper
salt
1-2 tbsp butter or oil, or combination
Nothing is written in stone, so you can use more or less of anything above. Feel free to add add pitted and chopped olives, garlic, or cheese.
-In a frying pan heat oil and add onion. Cook on medium until they're soft and then add fresh peppers.
-Once they're cooked, pour in tomatoes, salt, and both peppers. Wait until tomatoes cook down a little. -Stir in beaten eggs and stir constantly.
-Right before eggs are cooked, add chopped parsley.
