See, last year around this time I was in Turkey and I never really got to blog about our wild trip to Turkey, because I pregnant.  When you are pregnant everything is an excuse, OH how I miss those days!!!  Recently I was going through our pictures and I realized, I totally forgot to post these amazing pictures of this amazing dish that is VERY popular in Turkey.  It is is known as Menemen and is similar to a dish known as Shakshuka.  See the ingredients list is similar but they we prepare it and cook it is completely different.  The best place to eat Menemen is in Cakalli, Samsun, Turkey.

My husband grew up in and lived in Samsum, Turkey which borders the Black Sea.  His family still lives their today.  It is a beautiful city, rich in culture, history and of course food.  My husband’s uncle owns and operates a family style stop and rest family restaurant in Cakalli, Turkey.  Ah the view from this place is amazing, it sort of sits on mountain top and the view from the back patio of the restaurant is breathtakingly beautiful. 

Looking at those pictures, made and still makes my mouth water. I hunger for it, I am really sorry I had one whole pan by myself and moved on two a second pan, but it was too much to finish.  All I can say is it is finger licking, double dipping DELICIOUS!

What makes this dish stand is several things:

1. Farm Fresh Tomatoes

2. Farm Fresh Eggs

Ingredients & Preparation as follows: **Dish must be prepared in an aluminum pan**

 
Butter & 2 farm fresh green peppers

 
Tomatoes – yes the chef you about 5-6 tomatoes – skin removed

Butter, pepper & tomato sauteing away, a sprinkle of maras/urfa “hot” pepper flakes – optional

 
Continue to cook until the tomatoes are completely broken down.
Add in about 2/3 cups of kashkaval cheese – cut into chunks.

Add in the eggs – chef use 2 eggs per person - one whole egg and one egg yolk

The final dish – go ahead rip of a chunk of that Turkish Pita Bread and dunk it in.

MENEMEN – SHAKSHUKA – SAMSUN TURKEY STYLE
        Serves 2

• 1 long sweet green pepper – chopped
• 1/2 stick of unsalted butter
• 4 -5 small to medium tomatoes – skin removed & chopped
• 1 tablespoon of maras/urfa pepper*
• 2/3 cups of grated or chopped into small pieces of kashkaval cheese
• 6 eggs – 2 eggs per person
• salt and pepper for seasoning

1. Heat a cooking pan, add in butter and chopped peppers and let saute 2-3 minutes.
2. Then add in the chopped tomatoes and continue to saute, for about 5 – 7 minutes, until the tomatoes are completely soft.  Using the back of a fork breakdown the tomatoes, where it resembles a sauce like texture.
3. Add in the chopped/grated kashkaval cheese.
4. In two bowl, crack 3 whole eggs and 3 egg yolks. 
5. Add the eggs into the sauteing mixture and stir using a fork until the eggs are completely incorporated into the mixture.  Add salt & pepper for taste & mix.
6. Cover and let sit on medium heat for about 5 minutes until the eggs are completely cooked.
7. Serve hot or warm with nice dipping bread. Like Turkish Pita or a hearty Italian loaf.

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Tags: menemen, MENEMEN SAMSUN TURKEY STYLE, SAMSUN TURKEY, SHAKSHUKA, smitten kitchen