RECIPE: Can I cook an Ottoman dish?

HUNKAR BEGENDI 

I came across this dish, hünkar beğendi a while ago, due to my obsession with Turkish food and Ottomans in general! Though I never ate this myself, I decided to make it. With help from my wife, here's what I did. 

I followed this video by a brother named Emre. https://youtu.be/zWGp4Il_4eM  

INGREDIENTS: 

For the meat: 

• Half large onion chopped 

• 1 pepper chopped (video below uses Paprika which I didn't have) 

• 1tbsp oil 

• 750g lamb or beef (washed) 

• 1 clove of garlic 

• 1tbsp tomato paste 

• 2 large tomatoes chopped 

• Salt 

• Pepper 

• Chilli flakes 

• I added Dukkathul Madina, due to my love of Madina! 

Béchamel sauce: 

• 1tbsp butter

• 1tbsp plain flour

• Milk

• 3x large Aubergine chopped (roasted) 

METHOD:

• Begin with Allah's name and Salat and Salam upon Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam

• Poke holes on all sides of Aubergine and put on baking paper in a pre-heated oven at 200°C (May take around 45 minutes, be sure to turn ocassionally)

• Place wok or pan on stove

• Add oil

• Add meat and let it caremalise

• Add onions and pepper/paprika

• Add garlic

• Add 1tbsp tomato paste

• Add tomatoes

• Add chilli flakes

• Add Salt and Pepper

• Close lid, cook, see if it needs more liquid.

• Peel aubergine or cut across and spoon out the inside

• Chop aubergine, leave aside (The skin is edible so have it as a snack!)

Béchamel sauce:

• Add butter

• Add flour

• Add Milk and look for a smooth and creamy texture (add milk if as needed)

• Add aubergine to Bechamel and mix

• Turn off heat

• Add cheese

• A bit of nutmeg

• Season with salt and pepper 

• Plate up with aubergine béchamel mix, then place meat on top. Garnish with parsley if you like. Can have with bread. 

 Say Bismillah, feast like a sultan!