Maple Spicy Carrots

Featured in Morning Meal Favorites.

Turkish Cilbir brings together soft poached eggs, garlic and herb yogurt, and buttery spices. A traditional breakfast dish using fresh mint and dill, easily adapted to suit your heat preference. Quick to make and ready to impress, it's perfect for a cozy brunch!
Aisha
Updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 12:14:06 GMT
Nestled eggs topped with butter, herbs, and spices. Pin it
Nestled eggs topped with butter, herbs, and spices. | cookingflavor.com

This fancy morning meal pairs fluffy poached eggs with herb-infused yogurt and a warm spicy butter drizzle for a truly luxurious breakfast. Coming from Turkey's food traditions, this creation transforms basic ingredients into something extraordinary, showing how unexpected combos often make the most unforgettable meals. I stumbled upon this at my neighborhood café and couldn't believe how wonderfully yogurt and eggs play together.

I made this last week for some doubtful buddies who couldn't picture eggs with yogurt working out. They totally changed their minds after trying it. The mix of cool, garlicky yogurt under soft eggs topped with that spiced butter creates a breakfast you won't forget.

Key Components and Shopping Advice

  • Greek Yogurt - Whole milk version gives the creamiest foundation
  • Fresh Eggs - Newer eggs work better when poaching
  • Fresh Herbs - Try the classic dill and mint combo
  • Garlic - Just a tiny bit so it won't take over
  • Quality Butter - Get unsalted and let it soften first

What makes this dish amazing is when the hot spiced butter hits those soft egg yolks and mixes with the cool herb yogurt underneath.

Step-by-Step Making Guide

Step 1: Mix Up Herby Yogurt
Throw 1 cup Greek yogurt into a bowl with half a minced garlic clove. Toss in some chopped dill and mint, folding everything together gently. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, then set aside while you work on the eggs.
Step 2: Get Water Ready
Pour water about 4 inches deep in a pot and heat until it's barely bubbling. Add a splash of white vinegar to help the egg whites stay together. Stir the water fast to create a spinning whirlpool.
Step 3: Cook First Egg
Break an egg into a small dish to check if the yolk looks good. Slip it carefully into the middle of your whirlpool, letting the spinning water wrap the white around the yolk. Let it cook for 3 minutes, keeping the water just barely simmering.
Step 4: Lift Out and Continue
Scoop the egg out with a slotted spoon, letting water drain off. Place on a paper towel to soak up extra moisture. Make another whirlpool and do the same with your second egg.
Step 5: Spice Up Some Butter
Heat butter in a small pan until it's bubbly. Throw in some smoked paprika and chili flakes, mixing them in. Cook for just half a minute until spices release their flavor without burning.
Step 6: Create Your Base
Spread the yogurt mix in a circle on your plate. Make a little dip in the middle where you'll put the eggs. Make sure it's thick enough to hold them up.
Step 7: Put It All Together
Place your poached eggs in the middle of the yogurt. You can poke the yolks a bit if you want them to start running. Right away, pour the hot spiced butter over everything.
Step 8: Add Final Touches
Scatter more fresh herbs on top for color and taste. Add some freshly cracked pepper and fancy salt flakes. Serve right away while you still have that hot-cold contrast.
A bowl of food with eggs and herbs. Pin it
A bowl of food with eggs and herbs. | cookingflavor.com

Mastering Egg Poaching

Getting this dish right really comes down to how well you poach the eggs. The trick is using really fresh eggs and creating that swirling water. When your egg drops into the spinning water, it helps the white wrap neatly around the yolk for that classic poached shape.

Playing With Hot and Cold

What makes this dish stand out is the mix of temperatures. Each part needs to be just right when you serve it - cool creamy yogurt at the bottom, warm eggs with runny centers in the middle, and that sizzling butter sauce poured over the top.

A bowl of eggs with red peppers and herbs on top. Pin it
A bowl of eggs with red peppers and herbs on top. | cookingflavor.com

Not Just For Morning

Though many folks think of this as breakfast food, it works great any time of day. Try it for brunch, lunch, or even as a light dinner. Grab some crusty bread to mop up all those amazing sauces, or add a small salad on the side to make it a full meal.

Pro Kitchen Tricks

  • Spin the water well for egg shaping
  • Go easy on the garlic in the yogurt mix
  • Soften your butter before making the sauce
  • Get everything else ready before poaching eggs
  • Eat right away for best temperature mix
A bowl of eggs with spices and herbs on top. Pin it
A bowl of eggs with spices and herbs on top. | cookingflavor.com

These Turkish eggs have become what I always make when I want to wow guests at brunch. The combo of everyday ingredients somehow creates something that feels both new and comforting.

Last-Minute Advice

  • Find the newest eggs you can
  • Make it as spicy as you like
  • Keep bread handy for soaking up sauce
  • Think about making more butter sauce
  • Don't skimp on the fresh herbs

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How can I make poached eggs turn out right?
Use fresh eggs, spin the water gently, and leave out salt.
→ How do I tone down the heat?
Switch chili flakes for sweet paprika instead.
→ What yogurt makes it taste best?
Thick, creamy yogurt like Greek or Turkish works great.
→ Can I save time by prepping early?
Make the herbed yogurt first, but cook eggs and butter sauce fresh.
→ What sides go well with this?
Pair it up with toasted bread for soaking up the flavors.

Maple Spicy Carrots

Soft poached eggs draped over garlicky yogurt, topped with a rich, spicy butter sauce.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes
By: Aicha

Category: Breakfast

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Yield: 2 Servings (2 servings)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Base

01 2 eggs
02 2 ounces (55g) butter
03 1 cup Greek or Turkish yogurt

→ Herbs & Seasonings

04 1 teaspoon chili flakes
05 Salt and pepper as preferred
06 Fresh dill, a handful
07 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
08 Fresh mint leaves, a handful
09 Half a garlic clove

→ Poaching

10 1 tablespoon white vinegar

Instructions

Step 01

Take some dill, mint, and garlic, chop them up and blend into the yogurt. Add a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Step 02

Boil some water with the vinegar, then swirl the water to make a little whirlpool. Gently drop the egg in and leave for 3 minutes for a soft yolk.

Step 03

Heat the butter, toss in paprika and chili flakes, and stir till mixed well.

Step 04

Put a layer of the yogurt mix on a plate, add the eggs, pour the spiced butter on top, and decorate with herbs and fresh pepper.

Notes

  1. Fresh eggs work best for poaching.
  2. Use sweet paprika if you want it milder.
  3. Start with a little garlic, then add more if needed.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot for boiling
  • Spoon with holes
  • Tiny pan
  • Grater (optional)

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy products
  • Contains eggs

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 162
  • Total Fat: 9 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 8 g
  • Protein: 11 g