TURKEY
Cilbir (poached eggs with garlic yoghurt)
15 minutes
4 persons
Medium
In Turkey, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And what better way to start the day than with a poached egg? We don't think so. Do you love it too? Then try these poached eggs with garlic yoghurt, also called 'Çılbır'. We received this recipe from Hale Amus, the author of The Bible of Turkish Cuisine ( cookbook tip !). She told us that this dish was already eaten in the fifteenth century, long before poached eggs became trendy. Namely by Ottoman sultans who preferred to eat their eggs poached and served on yogurt. This Çılbır is not only delicious for breakfast, but also very good for lunch or as a mezze.
Preparation
Step 1: Prepare the yogurt
Mix the yoghurt with crushed garlic and salt in a large bowl. We added lemon zest to the mixture ourselves, but this is not necessary.
Divide the yoghurt over 4 plates and smooth it out with the rounded side of a spoon. Set aside.
Step 2: Poach the eggs
Watch this video for tips for a perfect poached egg.
Break the eggs into individual bowls. Set aside. For a perfectly poached egg, use a small sieve (see video).
Bring a pan with plenty of water and vinegar to the boil. Stir vigorously so that a vortex is created in the center. Slide the eggs one at a time into the center of the pan; don't poach more than 2 at a time.
Poach the eggs for 3 minutes or until the whites are set and the yolks are still soft.
Remove the eggs from the pan with a slotted spoon and let them drain on kitchen paper.
Step 4: Make the spicy chili butter
Melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in the pul biber and let it bubble for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
Step 5: Serve the Cilbir
Divide the poached eggs over the yoghurt, drizzle with the butter and sprinkle with the parsley. Serve with Turkish bread.
Ingredients
350 g Turkish yoghurt (10% fat)
2 cloves garlic, crushed
¼ tsp salt
2 tbsp natural vinegar
4 eggs
2 tbsp butter
2 tsp pul biber (available at AH or a store)
5 g flat-leaf parsley
Optional: 1 tbsp lemon zest
Serve with bread of your choice
Want to get in the mood? Here a music suggestion!
Afiyet olsun! ('Enjoy your meal!')
