Breakfast
Breakfast is major affair in Turkey, particularly on the weekend. Crusty bread is a must, a variety of home-made jams, a selection of olives, a tomato and cucumber salad and eggs of some description are a bare minimum. And we can get far more elaborate from there. Here are a few selections to get you excited...
Classic Turkish Breakfast
This may seem lavish, but this is a pretty typical Turkish breakfast. Eating breakfast together as a family is important in this culture, and plenty of time is allowed even on busy weekdays. But it is the weekend breakfasts that everyone looks forward to – but only after a good sleep in, of course!
Baked Eggs in Creamy Spinach
It’s not that much work, but these eggs do feel a little luxurious. A beautiful start to the day. Not a bad lunch, either…
Breakfast Crepes
Breakfast crepes (or kaygana in Turkish) date to the 16th century, when it was a popular meal served with either sweet or savoury toppings. Sort of an eggy crepe, they are delicious for breakfast. Just mind you don’t break it when you flip it…!
Eggs with Eggplant and Pinenuts
My man and I are big fans of starting the weekend slowly, with a good coffee and a special breakfast spread. And these eggs are a little bit special...
Menemen
Menemen is one of those few dishes that is made and enjoyed all over Turkey. It is known as a ‘poor man’s dish’, and if you go somewhere nice for breakfast with friends Turks will laugh at you for ordering menemen.
Scrambled Eggs with Lamb and Walnuts
This is my husband’s very favourite egg dish, and it is a manly sort of breakfast. Meat in the morning may not be everyone’s idea of how to start the day, but these eggs are surprisingly moorish.
Eggs Scrambled with Mince and Spinach
My fondest memory of making this dish when a group of 30 high-spirited students came over for brunch one weekend. A few came into the kitchen to make sure I was doing things properly, and it wasn’t long before the arguments were breaking out...