10 Turkish Breakfasts to Start Your Day

Menemen

Menemen is a classic Turkish breakfast dish perfect for starting the day with a burst of flavor and warmth.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 green peppers, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 4 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: red pepper flakes

Cooking method:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat, then add the onions and green peppers, sautéing until soft.
2. Add the tomatoes and cook until they break down slightly.
3. Crack the eggs into the pan and stir gently until they are cooked through.
4. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
5. Serve hot with fresh bread.

Sucuklu Yumurta

Sucuklu Yumurta combines the spicy delight of sujuk sausage with the simplicity of eggs for a hearty breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 100g sucuk (Turkish sausage), sliced
• 4 eggs
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Melt the butter in a skillet and add the sliced sucuk, cooking until browned.
2. Crack the eggs over the sucuk and cook to your preferred doneness.
3. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Börek

Börek is a savory pastry filled with cheese or spinach, ideal for a satisfying breakfast treat.

Ingredients:

• 250g phyllo pastry
• 200g feta cheese, crumbled
• 100g spinach, chopped
• 50g melted butter
• 1 egg, beaten

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Layer 2 sheets of phyllo pastry, brushing each with melted butter.
3. Spread a mixture of feta and spinach over the pastry.
4. Roll the pastry into a log and place on a baking tray.
5. Brush with beaten egg and bake for 25 minutes until golden.

Simit

Simit is a popular Turkish bread ring topped with sesame seeds, perfect for an on-the-go breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 500g all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 7g active dry yeast
• 250ml warm water
• 50ml grape molasses
• 100g sesame seeds

Cooking method:

1. Combine flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and water to form a dough.
2. Let the dough rise for 1 hour, then shape into rings.
3. Dip each ring in a mixture of molasses and water, then coat with sesame seeds.
4. Bake at 200°C (390°F) for 20 minutes until golden brown.

Çılbır

Çılbır is a delicious poached egg dish served over yogurt, drizzled with melted butter and red pepper flakes.

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 300g Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• Salt to taste

Cooking method:

1. Bring a pot of water with vinegar to a simmer and poach the eggs.
2. Spread yogurt on a plate and place poached eggs on top.
3. Melt butter, add red pepper flakes, and drizzle over the eggs.
4. Season with salt before serving.

Pide

Pide, also known as Turkish flatbread, is often topped with cheese and eggs for a fulfilling breakfast option.

Ingredients:

• 250g plain flour
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 7g dry yeast
• 150ml warm water
• 100g cheese (mozzarella or feta)
• 2 eggs

Cooking method:

1. Mix flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and water to form a dough and let rise for 1 hour.
2. Roll out the dough into an oval shape and top with cheese.
3. Create a rim by folding over the edges.
4. Crack eggs on top and bake at 220°C (430°F) for 12-15 minutes.

Gözleme

Gözleme is a traditional Turkish flatbread filled with savory ingredients like spinach, cheese, or minced meat.

Ingredients:

• 300g plain flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 150ml water
• 100g spinach, chopped
• 100g feta cheese, crumbled

Cooking method:

1. Combine flour, salt, and water to form a dough, and let it rest for 30 minutes.
2. Roll out thin circles and fill with spinach and feta.
3. Fold in half and cook on a griddle until golden brown.

Kahvaltı Tabağı

A traditional Kahvaltı Tabağı (breakfast platter) offers a diverse array of small bites to enjoy leisurely.

Ingredients:

• 100g olives
• 150g assorted cheeses
• 200g sliced tomatoes and cucumbers
• 4 boiled eggs
• 50g honey
• 50g butter

Cooking method:

1. Arrange olives, cheeses, tomatoes, cucumbers, and boiled eggs on a platter.
2. Serve with side bowls of honey and butter.

Poğaça

Poğaça are soft, fluffy buns filled with cheese or olives, perfect for a quick breakfast snack.

Ingredients:

• 500g flour
• 1 packet dry yeast (7g)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 200ml milk
• 100g butter, melted
• 100g feta cheese or olives

Cooking method:

1. Mix flour, yeast, salt, milk, and butter to form a dough.
2. Allow to rise for 1 hour, then form small balls and fill with cheese or olives.
3. Arrange on a baking tray and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20 minutes.

Kumpir

Kumpir is a baked potato stuffed with a variety of toppings, including cheese, sausage, and vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 4 large potatoes
• 100g cheese, grated
• 100g sausage, diced
• 50g corn
• 50g peas
• 50g butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Bake potatoes at 200°C (390°F) until soft.
2. Cut open and fluff the insides with butter, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix in cheese, sausage, corn, and peas before serving.