Erzurum Cilbir Description and Distinctive Features of the Dish: Erzurum Cılbıra, also known as Erzurum Çılbır, is a traditional dish from the Erzurum region made using stale bread, pepper paste, vegetable oil, dry onions, green peppers, tomatoes, eggs, salt, black pepper, red pepper, and water. Butter may also be added according to preference. This flavorful meal is served hot. The origin of Erzurum Cılbıra / Erzurum Çılbır goes back to the period of the War of Independence. It was created as a way to repurpose leftover but still consumable bread. This dish has earned an important place in the gastronomic heritage of Erzurum. As a result, it is strongly linked to both the region's identity and its cultural recognition. Production Method: During the preparation of Erzurum Cılbıra / Erzurum Çılbır, it is optional but recommended to use Erzurum Butter, which is Geographical Indication registered under number 1244. Below are the ingredients and cooking steps required to prepare 4 servings of this traditional dish: 1 stale bread — 40 g pepper paste — 30 ml vegetable oil — 35 g butter (optional) — 150 g onions — 150 g green peppers (preferably village type) — 120 g tomatoes — 800 ml water — 4 eggs — 8 g salt — 3.1 g black pepper — 2.6 g red pepper flakes The stale bread is cut and placed into a deep, wide serving plate. In a bowl, the eggs are beaten until they become a smooth, uniform mixture. In a cooking pot, the vegetable oil is heated over medium heat, and optionally, butter is added. Onions, sliced into rings, are added and sautéed until they turn a rich golden brown. Then, finely chopped green peppers, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes are stirred in and cooked for around 2 minutes. After that, crushed pepper paste and chopped tomatoes are added and simmered for 5 minutes. Once the water is poured in and starts boiling, the heat is reduced and the beaten eggs are added slowly while stirring. The mixture is gently cooked for an additional 2 minutes, stirring continuously. Finally, the hot mixture is poured over the bread slices and served immediately.