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Chyhyrtma

Çığırtma: Azerbaijani eggs set over slow-cooked tomatoes and onions

Çığırtma is the Azerbaijani way with breakfast eggs: onions softened slowly in butter, ripe tomatoes cooked down with them, then beaten eggs poured over and set gently, sometimes with spinach or herbs and sometimes over chicken. This vegetarian tomato version is eaten in Baku with lavash or tandir bread and strong tea. The mistake is rushing the onions; they must turn soft and sweet before the tomatoes go in. Cook the eggs until set if serving anyone pregnant, young children, older people or anyone with a weakened immune system. Chef's tip: do not stir once the eggs are in; cover the pan and let them puff over the tomatoes like a soft omelette.
Total time
25 min
Difficulty
easy
Serves
2
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Ingredients

Serves2

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Fresh ingredients (5)

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Method

0/4 done
  1. Step 1: Melt 1 oz butter in a frying pan over a medium-low heat and cook 1 onion for 8 minutes, stirring now and then, until soft and pale golden.

    8 min
  2. Step 2: Add 3 ripe tomatoes, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper and 1 pinch ground turmeric and cook for 5 minutes until the tomatoes collapse and most of the juice has gone.

    5 min
  3. Step 3: Pour 4 eggs over evenly, cover and cook over a low heat for 3–4 minutes, until the eggs have puffed and set with no liquid egg left.

    4 min
  4. Step 4: Scatter with 1 tbsp fresh dill or coriander and serve from the pan with bread.

Nutrition per serving

Calories
290 kcal
Protein
14 g
Carbs
12 g
Fat
21 g
Fibre
3 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does chyhyrtma take?
About 25 minutes in total: 8 minutes to prepare and 17 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegetarian?
Yes. It has no meat or fish.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
What can I use instead of butter?
The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
What can I use instead of onion?
2 shallots per onion.

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