Turkish cuisine · Breakfast & Eggs

Çökelek Kavurması (Sautéed Farmer's Cheese)

Lean çökelek cheese sautéed in butter with onions, tomato paste and pepper flakes – a warm breakfast side.

Ingredients · for 4 servings

• 400 g çökelek cheese (or low-fat curd cheese)
• 2 onions
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 40 g butter
• 1 tsp Aleppo pepper flakes
• 1 green pointed pepper
• 1 flatbread
• Salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Peel and finely dice the onions, core and finely chop the pointed pepper; crumble the çökelek cheese with a fork.
2. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat and sauté the onions for 5–6 min. until soft and golden.
3. Add the pepper and fry for 2 min., then stir in the tomato paste and roast for 1 min. until it smells deep and the butter turns red.
4. Sprinkle in the pepper flakes, lower the heat and stir in the çökelek.
5. Warm through for 4–5 min., turning occasionally, until the cheese crumbles are hot and just start to catch on the pan – no longer, or the mixture turns dry.
6. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot straight from the pan with fresh flatbread at the breakfast table.