Paleo diet for athletes

Spicy Breakfast “Menemen”

This breakfast is inspired by the traditional Turkish dish menemen, which is typically cooked with just eggs, vegetables, and spices. However, the addition of a meat of your choice, like the Paleo-friendly, nitrate-free bacon used here, makes this dish super-satisfying and packed with protein! This combination of peppers, cumin, red pepper flakes, and Tabasco sauce is guaranteed to heat up your morning.
Serves 2

2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
1⁄2 yellow onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes (drain 1⁄2 of the juice)
1⁄2 teaspoon (10 ml) cumin
1⁄2 teaspoon (10 ml) salt
1⁄2 teaspoon (10 ml) black pepper
1⁄4 teaspoon (20 ml) red pepper flakes
4 eggs, scrambled
4 slices nitrate-free bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 green onion, finely sliced
Tabasco sauce, to taste

1. In a medium skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add onion, green bell pepper, garlic, diced tomatoes, cumin, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir often; sauté for about 10 minutes or until onions are translucent and juice starts to thicken.
3. While vegetables are sautéing, whisk eggs in a bowl and add bacon bits. Add egg mixture to the skillet vegetables and scramble until fully cooked. Top with green onion and Tabasco for a little extra heat. Scoop onto a plate and serve.

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Spicy breakfast menemen is the Turkish-style scramble of tomatoes, onion, green pepper, and garlic that makes ordinary eggs feel exciting. The vegetables simmer down into a thick, savory base, then eggs and crispy bacon bits scramble right in the pan. Finished with green onion and a dash of Tabasco, it's a one-pan breakfast with bold, warming flavor.

Pro Tips

• Drain half the tomato juice before adding the can — too much liquid makes the scramble watery rather than thick and saucy.
• Let the vegetables sauté the full 10 minutes until the onions are translucent and the juices thicken; that's the flavor base of the dish.
• Cook the bacon until genuinely crispy and crumble it in at the end so it keeps its crunch against the soft scramble.
• Scramble the eggs gently and pull the pan off the heat while they're still slightly wet — they firm up as they sit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is menemen?

A Turkish breakfast dish of eggs softly scrambled with tomatoes, peppers, and onions. This version adds bacon and a spicy finish for a heartier morning plate.

Can I make it without bacon?

Yes — it's delicious as a vegetarian scramble. Add a little olive oil to compensate for the fat, and finish with extra green onion.

How spicy is it?

Warm rather than fiery — the red pepper flakes and Tabasco add gentle heat. Adjust both up or down to suit the table.

Is this recipe Paleo?

Yes — eggs, tomatoes, peppers, onion, garlic, and nitrate-free bacon. Naturally gluten-free and grain-free.

Recipe Card

Stav Kogan

Spicy Breakfast “Menemen”

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Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes (drain 1⁄2 of the juice)
• 4 eggs, scrambled
• 4 slices nitrate-free bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 green onion, finely sliced

Method

 

1. In a medium skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add onion, green bell pepper, garlic, diced tomatoes, cumin, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
3. Stir often; sauté for about 10 minutes or until onions are translucent and juice starts to thicken.
4. While vegetables are sautéing, whisk eggs in a bowl and add bacon bits.
5. Add egg mixture to the skillet vegetables and scramble until fully cooked.
6. Top with green onion and Tabasco for a little extra heat. Scoop onto a plate and serve.

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