Description
Turkish Eggs, or Cilbir, is a traditional Turkish breakfast dish featuring poached eggs served over creamy yogurt seasoned with garlic and herbs, finished with a warm spiced butter sauce. This quick and flavorful dish combines tangy yogurt, fresh dill and mint, perfectly poached eggs, and a rich buttery chili oil for a delightful balance of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Yogurt Base
- 1 cup Turkish or Greek yogurt
- ½ garlic clove, grated
- Salt to taste
Herbs
- A handful of fresh dill, chopped
- A handful of fresh mint leaves, chopped
Eggs and Poaching
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
Spiced Butter Sauce
- 2 oz (55g) butter
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Yogurt Base: In a bowl, combine the yogurt with grated garlic and a pinch of salt. Stir well to incorporate the flavors evenly and set aside.
- Chop the Herbs: Finely chop the fresh dill and mint leaves. These will be added later to the yogurt to add freshness and aroma.
- Poach the Eggs: Bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer and add the tablespoon of vinegar (this helps the eggs hold their shape). Carefully crack the eggs one at a time into the simmering water and poach for about 3-4 minutes until the whites are set but the yolks remain runny. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Combine Yogurt and Herbs: Mix the chopped dill and mint into the prepared garlic yogurt. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
- Make the Spiced Butter Sauce: In a small pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the chili flakes, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally, until the butter is fragrant and the spices are infused.
- Assemble the Dish: Spread the herbed yogurt on a serving plate. Place the poached eggs gently on top. Then drizzle the warm spiced butter sauce over the eggs and around the yogurt. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh eggs for easier poaching with better shape retention.
- Adjust the amount of chili flakes to control the heat level of the sauce.
- You can substitute fresh herbs with dried herbs if needed, but fresh is preferred for best flavor.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the warm spiced butter sauce with the creamy yogurt and runny eggs.
