Çılbır: Turkish Poached Eggs Recipe
Çılbır is a traditional Turkish dish of poached eggs served over garlicky yogurt and finished with a drizzle of spiced oil. Once a favorite in the Ottoman palace kitchens, it has endured for centuries as both a comforting home recipe and a dish that showcases the elegance of Turkish cooking.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs poached
- 1 cup whole milk yogurt
- 4 cloves garlic finely diced
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Fresh dill for garnish
- Toast for serving
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix yogurt with diced garlic and salt until smooth. Spread onto a plate.
- Poach 2 eggs until whites are set but yolks remain runny. Place them gently on top of the yogurt.
- In a small pan, warm olive oil and add paprika and crushed red pepper. Simmer briefly until fragrant.
- Drizzle the spiced oil over the eggs and yogurt.
- Garnish with fresh dill and serve immediately with toast.
Video
Notes
- Perfect Poaching: For tender eggs with runny yolks, poach in barely simmering water with a splash of vinegar to help the whites set cleanly.
- Garlic Intensity: Raw garlic in yogurt packs a punch. If you want a milder flavor, sauté the diced garlic briefly in olive oil before mixing it into the yogurt.
- Spiced Oil Variations: Traditional Turkish versions often use butter instead of olive oil and Aleppo pepper for a milder, smoky heat. Adjust the fat and spice blend to your taste.