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–+ servings

Çılbır

Çılbır is a beloved Turkish dish featuring poached eggs served on creamy yogurt with a rich butter sauce and Aleppo pepper.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Serving Size 2 servings

Ingredients

For the herbed yogurt

  • 1 cup whole milk Greek yogurt
  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice about ½ a small lemon
  • 1 clove garlic peeled and grated or minced
  • 1 Tbsp fresh dill finely chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 2 tsp fresh mint finely chopped
  • ½ tsp kosher salt

For the poached eggs

  • 4 large eggs recommended 2 per person
  • 1 Tbsp distilled white vinegar

For serving

  • Pita or crusty bread
  • Flaky sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

For the butter sauce

  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp Aleppo pepper

Instructions

Make the herbed yogurt

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, grated garlic, chopped dill, and kosher salt. Whisk well and set aside.

Poach the eggs

  • In a medium saucepan, fill it with at least 3 inches of water, then add white vinegar. Set over medium heat, bringing it to a gentle simmer.
  • Crack each egg into a small ramekin, and when the water is just below a simmer, carefully drop the eggs one at a time into the water.
  • Poach for about 3 minutes, ensuring the whites are fully set while the yolk remains runny. It’s best to poach two eggs at a time.

Drain the eggs

  • Utilize a slotted spoon to transfer the poached eggs to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess moisture. Repeat with the remaining eggs.
  • You can poach the eggs a day in advance for convenience.

Make the sauce

  • In a pan over medium heat, combine unsalted butter and Aleppo pepper. Cook until fragrant, approximately 1 minute, stirring often.

Assemble and serve

  • Divide the herbed yogurt evenly among shallow bowls.
  • Top each with two poached eggs, and spoon the buttery sauce over the top.
  • Garnish with additional fresh dill or mint, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Serve immediately with pita or crusty bread.

Notes

For best results, ensure the water for poaching is at a gentle simmer. Fresh ingredients enhance the dish's flavors. Leftovers should be stored separately to maintain freshness.