breakfast

Turkish Delights: Menemen

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted on this blog, and it’s mainly because I haven’t lived in Turkey since June 2010.  I’ve been back in the United States working on a Master’s degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism at Syracuse University.  However, being back at the university has allowed me to make some new Turkish friends who are studying at SU.  Along with Backgammon, tea, and really great conversation, several of them are teaching me how to “cook” my favorite Turkish foods.

I’ve decided to post the experiences and recipes here in a new segment I’m calling “Turkish Delights.”  I hope you enjoy, and maybe even cook some of these great meals yourself.

Menemen (a classic Turkish breakfast dish)

INGREDIENTS (this recipe serves 2-4):

• 1 onion (soğan)
• 2-3 peppers (biber), we used Hungarian peppers.  I’ve also tried Italian peppers.
• 2 tomatoes (domates)
• 2-4 eggs (yumurta)
• Vegetable or Olive oil
• Salt
• 1 small-medium frying pan

DIRECTIONS:

1)   Dice the peppers, onions, and peppers and put them on the side.
2)   Heat up about 1/8 cup of oil in the pan at medium high
3)   Stir in diced peppers and sauté for about 1-2 minutes

4)   Add diced onion, continue to sauté for another 5-6 minutes until well cooked, add oil as needed

5)   Add diced tomatoes, cook until like a sauce.

6)   Add a dash of salt

6)   Drop in eggs directly over the pan, stir them in if you prefer them scrambled.  We scrambled them.

7)   Once well cooked or blended, remove from heat and let cool.

8)   Serve directly from pan with plenty of fresh bread!

Afiyet Olsun! (Turkish phrase for “Enjoy your meal.”)

breakfast

The Friday Find! – McCravings

I’m kicking off what I hope will be a regular Friday post, “The Friday Find!” Since arriving in Turkey, I’ve stumbled upon a number of surprises, quirks, funny signs, and other interesting segments of Turkey that do not necessarily need a full blown article.

For example, I never expected to find a Popeye’s in Turkey, never mind the fact that you’ll find them in nearly every big city mall. A lot of these finds may have absolutely nothing to do with Turkish culture or have any significant value, but hey, it’s Friday. Let the miscellany begin!

When I switched locations for my Turkish classes, I began walking by a huge McDonald’s with advertisements in Turkish for the McDonald’s Breakfast all over its windows. I’m not a big fast food person, but I am a die hard Mickey D’s breakfast supporter. So after walking by images of Pancakes, “Donut”, and the Big Breakfast, I had to give it a go.

After ordering, I was asked by the cashier to go sit down.  I thought, “Why…it should only take a few minutes for my hotcakes to come out?” But a few minutes later, I actually noticed them cracking an egg and whisking in the kitchen. Suddenly, I knew I was in for more than the average McDonald’s hotcake.

So, here I was waiting at in a Turkish McDonalds for my hotcakes, hash brown, and tea to be brought to my table by the staff. Only in Turkey! And that’s today’s delicious Friday Find.