Spinach and Eggs

by Meliz Berg
Star 3.9
    10m prep time
    20m total time
    Easy level
    15 ingredients

This is a Turkish-inspired breakfast dish that I was first introduced to as a child while staying at a hotel during one of our many family holidays to Cyprus. My version of the recipe predominantly comprises slowly cooked onions, tomatoes, spinach and eggs, topped with an indulgent drizzling of melted butter and spices. A simple slice of fresh bread, and a small handful of olives on the side ensure a deliciously hearty start to the day, and all in under 30 minutes.

Method

Based on 2 servings, adjust as needed.

Step 1

Place the tomatoes into a large, heatproof bowl and carefully pour in enough boiling hot water so that they are fully submerged. After a minute or so, with a large spoon, remove the tomatoes, allow them to cool slightly, then peel and discard the skins. Roughly chop the tomato flesh into quarters, and place in a bowl, reserving all of the juices.

Step 2

Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onion slices and soften and brown them for 8–10 minutes so that the edges crisp up a little. Add the garlic, and soften in the oil for a minute, then add the cumin, smoked paprika, salt and pepper and stir well. Add the sweet red pepper paste (or sundried tomato paste) and the tomatoes and all their juices to the pan, turn down the heat and cook until the tomatoes have softened. You can use the back of the spoon to gently break down the tomatoes a little.

Step 3

Add the spinach leaves straight to the pan, then add 100ml water (if cooking for 2) and cook for a few minutes until the leaves have completely wilted down. If the spinach needs loosening, add another 100ml water, stir through and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and make four little spaces in the pan (or however many eggs you're cooking) by spreading out some of the cooked spinach. Crack an egg straight into each of the four spaces and cover the pan with a large lid for 2 minutes so that the steam aids the thorough cooking of the eggs.

Step 4

While the eggs are cooking, melt the butter in a small pan until it goes frothy, then take the pan off the heat. Check the eggs, and if the whites are cooked, but the yolks still have a good amount of jiggle in them (this is a recipe for dippy, runny yolks), then they’re ready. If the whites need a little longer, put the lid on for another minute or so, but be careful not to overcook the yolks.

Step 5

Add the sumac and pul biber (or chilli flakes) to the melted butter, carefully swish the spices through, then drizzle over the eggs, trying to get as much on the yolks as possible. Season to taste with a pinch of sea salt flakes, cracked black pepper and parsley. Serve with toasted sourdough to soak up all the juices and runny yolks.
  • Ingredients
  • Based on 2 servings
  • 4 Slices Sourdough, toasted, to serve 1 x Sainsbury's Sourdough Medium Sliced White Bread, Taste the Difference 400g
  • 0.5 tsp Salt 1 x Maldon Sea Salt Flakes 250g
  • 2 tbsp Sundried Tomato Paste, or Turkish Sweet Red Pepper Paste (tatlı biber salçası) 1 x Sainsbury's Sun Dried Tomato Paste 190g
  • 1 Large Onion, halved and finely sliced 1 x Sainsbury's Onions Loose
  • 0.5 tsp Chilli Flakes, or Pul Biber 1 x Sainsbury's Crushed Chillies 32g
  • 4 Large Eggs 1 x Sainsbury's British Free Range Eggs Large x6
  • 0.25 tsp Ground Cumin 1 x Sainsbury's Ground Cumin 43g
  • 0.5 tsp Smoked Paprika 1 x Sainsbury's Smoked Paprika 44g
  • 1 tsp Fresh Parsley, finely chopped 1 x Sainsbury's Fresh Packed Flat Leaf Parsley 30g
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil 1 x Sainsbury's Olive Oil 1L
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, crushed 1 x Sainsbury's Garlic
  • 0.5 tsp Sumac, or Za'atar 1 x Sainsbury's Sumac 45g
  • 4 Large Tomatoes, ripe 1 x Sainsbury's Large Vine Tomatoes 500g
  • 260g Fresh Spinach, roughly chopped 1 x Sainsbury's Young Spinach 260g
  • 15g Unsalted Butter 1 x Sainsbury's British Butter, Unsalted 250g
Shop this recipe
Products and prices from