The Hirshon Turkish Poached Eggs – Çilbir

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 3 tbsp vinegar (to add to boiling water)
• 2 tsp Aleppo pepper flakes (preferred) or sweet paprika (if you prefer a less spicy dish)
• 1 tbsp butter
• Dried mint flakes or minced fresh spearmint
• salt
• pepper
• 1 cup plain full-fat yogurt, preferably from Jersey cows
• 1 tbsp. finely chopped dill
• 2 cloves garlic, mashed into a paste

Instructions

1. Boil 3 cm/1.5 inches of water in a medium size pan or skillet (preferably not a deep pot as it is then easier to work with the eggs as they cook).
2. Make sure the water is boiling and not just warm but once it boils, lower the heat and let it cool down to below boiling temperature before you place the eggs into the water.
3. Add vinegar to water. Then, break the eggs, and put each one slowly into a small cup, like a ramekin.
4. Bring the ramekins close to the boiling water, gently and slowly pour each egg into the hot water, trying to pour in the same spot.
5. As soon as you pour each egg, scoop all runny streams of egg towards its yolk with a tablespoon.
6. Cook them for 3-4 minutes for a medium-soft yolk. For a hard yolk, you need to cook them at least for 5 minutes.
7. Combine garlic, dill and yogurt and pour onto a plate. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon onto the plate on top of the yogurt.
8. In a skillet, heat the butter. When it sizzles add aleppo pepper or paprika. Stir for half a minute or less (just don't let it burn) and pour it on top of eggs and yogurt.
9. Lastly sprinkle salt, pepper and mint on top and serve immediately.