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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.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes

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IngredientsMethodVideoNotes

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
 

  1. In a bowl, mix yogurt with diced garlic and salt until smooth. Spread onto a plate.
  2. Poach 2 eggs until whites are set but yolks remain runny. Place them gently on top of the yogurt.
  3. In a small pan, warm olive oil and add paprika and crushed red pepper. Simmer briefly until fragrant.
  4. Drizzle the spiced oil over the eggs and yogurt.
  5. 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.