Menemen (eggs with tomato)
A breakfast of tomatoes, green peppers and eggs cooked in a pan; traditionally the eggs are left soft.
With care: in a safer version

Ingredients
- eggs
- tomatoes
- green peppers
- onion (optional)
- olive oil or butter
- salt
How it is prepared
Peppers and tomatoes are softened in oil, then the eggs are stirred in.
Food safety with low immunity
- Eggs should be fully cooked, with firm whites and yolks.
How to prepare it during treatment
Safer version: cook the eggs until completely firm, with no soft or runny parts.
Your diet during treatment is agreed with your doctor. Sample 7-day menu for the treatment period →
Storage
Best eaten straight after cooking. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and eat within a day.
Reheating
Better made fresh; if reheating, heat until steaming.
Symptoms it may suit
- Taste changes. Aromatic spices, herbs or a little sourness can help when food tastes bland or metallic (if there are no mouth sores).
- Low appetite. Gives a lot of energy and protein in a small portion — can help when appetite is low.
These are general observations: what suits you can change from day to day.
Treatment phases
- Before treatmentmay suit
- During a coursemay suit
- Low counts (neutropenia)Only in the safer version and if your team agreesmay suit
- Between coursesmay suit
- After treatmentmay suit
Phase notes are general. During low counts, follow only your care team’s food rules.
If you have other conditions
- Stomach and gut. Can be acidic from tomato, lemon or vinegar; keep this in mind with reflux, gastritis or mouth sores.
Nutrition (per 100 g)
Nutrition figures from a reliable source have not been added for this dish yet.
More from this cuisine
Related topics
Food safetyNeutropenic diet (low-microbial diet)PasteurisedCore cooking temperatureLeftoversCross-contamination
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Safer Food Choices for People With Weakened Immune Systems
- FoodSafety.gov (U.S. HHS). Cook to a Safe Minimum Internal Temperature
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Leftovers and Food Safety
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases
- Food Standards Agency (UK). Chilling
- World Health Organization (WHO). Five keys to safer food manual
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Food Safety During Cancer Treatment
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Eating Hints: Before, during, and after Cancer Treatment
- BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 2019. Neutropenic diets to prevent cancer infections: updated systematic review and meta-analysis
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). FoodData Central — Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS)