How to make Hunkar Begendi - Step by Step Turkish Recipe

Today's recipe Hünkârbeğendi or hunkar begendi, is a classic Turkish dish, going back to Ottoman cuisine. In 1867, when Sultan Abdulaziz visited France, he, in return, invited Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie of France to Istanbul. The empress also brought her chef cook with her while visiting Istanbul.
In Istanbul, the Sultan ordered his best chefs to create a special dish. The French cook started cooking with the Turkish cooks in the palace kitchen and as he was preparing the bechamel sauce, the Turkish cook was roasting some eggplants. He was also very interested in the sauce the French cook was preparing. All of a sudden he came up with the idea that if two were mixed, the combination would have a great taste. This new recipe was now the Sultan's favorite. The dish was thus named as ‘Hünkar beğendi’ (‘the Sultan liked it’) and served to the Empress.
Made with bechamel mixed with smoked eggplant and topped with lamb stew with a tomato & onion gravy. The eggplant bechamel is simply called "Begendi" in Turkish cuisine and can be paired with a variety of meat, such as chicken, lamb or beef.
Let's see how this delicious dish is prepared and hope you enjoy the video and the recipe!
Please consider subscribing and help my channel to improve for better content:
www.youtube.co...
Follow me on:
Instagram: / hungry_man_kitchen
Links to some of the equipments I use (Affiliate links*):
🔪 WÜSTHOF CLASSIC IKON 8 Inch Chef’s Knife : amzn.to/3csFXFD
🧤 X3 Industrial Food Safe Black Nitrile Gloves, Box of 100: amzn.to/3bKA73h
🥘 Fontignac Cast Iron Dutch Oven: amzn.to/31IiRpJ
Hunkar Begendi
Ingredients:
• 500 g lamb
• 1 kg eggplants
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1.5 cup milk
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tomatoes
• 500 ml hot water
• 150 g shredded kasar cheese (alternatively: mozzarella or gruyere)
• Salt to taste
• 2 tsp black pepper
#hunkarbegendi #turkishcuisine #begendi
*Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

[@linapapadopoulou7341]

I grew up watching my grandmother cook these dishes and learning them myself. I love to see them so well explained here. Thank you.

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thanks for watching and your kind comments!

[@ermaner3545]

In the summer months of 1867, Hünkar Beğendi, one of the rarest dishes on our tables nowadays, emerged with a story that is reminiscent of the movies. This sad story begins with Sultan Abdülaziz going to Paris as the first and last sultan to go abroad. Sultan Abdülaziz visits Napoleon III in Paris for an international exhibition, and unexpected things happen. Ottoman sultan Sultan Abdülaziz and III. Napoleon's wife, Empress Eugénie. Napoleon and his wife, Empress Eugenie, carefully host Sultan Abdülaziz in their palace, but Sultan Abdulaziz and Empress Eugenie have already been caught up in the wind of love at first sight. When the exhibition ended, Sultan Abdülaziz had only one thing on his mind as he returned from Paris to Istanbul; his impossible love, Empress Eugenie. But the situation was no different for Eugenie. It was not possible for Eugenie to forget Sultan Abdülaziz, who was recorded in history as a sultan who was famous for his majesty. However, fate had not yet prepared its last surprise for Sultan Abdülaziz and Empress Eugenie. Years later, Napoleon III and his wife Eugenie were also invited to the opening of the Suez Canal. Since Napoleon could not accept this invitation, he sent Empress Eugenie to Egypt to represent them. While traveling to Egypt by ship, Eugenie stopped at the port of Istanbul and visited Sultan Abdülaziz in his palace. Euginie, who brought her cook to the palace with her when she went to Egypt, asks her cook to make béchamel sauce for Sultan Abdülaziz and herself. Eugenie's cook prepares béchamel sauce, and at that moment, the head chef of the palace kitchen adds roasted eggplant to the béchamel sauce and puts the sultan's favorite meat dish on top of this mixture and presents it to Sultan Abdülaziz and his guest Eugenie. Sultan Abdülaziz liked this dish so much that from that day on, this dish became famous throughout the country and the world as 'Hünkar Beğendi'. But unfortunately, this beautiful meal has a bitter memory. Eugenie, who decided to stay with Abdülaziz in Istanbul after dinner that day, goes to the sultan's mother, Pertevniyal Valide Sultan, while she was in the harem one day, kicks her out of the palace, and Eugenie, who returns to her country, is exiled by her husband Napoleon III. Sultan Abdülaziz was dethroned and killed shortly after. Thus, the lovers could not reunite, but what was left behind from their love was a bittersweet legacy.

[@susanwain7527]

Very nice video, no silly chatter or music. Perfect, thank you. Will try this.

[@theflyingbeard7193]

Tasted Amazing!!! Just made it for dinner tonight 😋. I used much smaller italian eggplant 🍆 very good. I Loved how the video was short and clear without ramblings like a lot of other cooking videos it made it very easy to follow while cooking! Thank you i hope everyone has a delicious dinner whenever you read this 😋

[@beatricegalea9112]

Such delicious recipes! Thank you for sharing step by step❤️🌹

[@zekikoruk3182]

Yapmasi zahmetli yemesi lezzetli bir yemektir

[@yasmindurrani5718]

It's so tasty I'm making this for dinner today

[@Peppersfirst]

Wow, amazing as always. I can't wait to start trying these dishes. Thank you!

[@MargaretsMakeandBake]

What a lovely meal. The eggplant bechamel looks like such a nice change from other accomplianents to a meat dish. Enjoyed watching today my friend... Take care...

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thanks so much Margaret!

[@deliciouscookingvlog8261]

just amazing , 感謝分享, GREAT to watch ...

[@CookingWithNeighbors]

The sauce with the eggplant would be my favourite part it looks so delicious

[@HungryManKitchen]

Indeed, it gives the dish it's unique taste and depth of flavor :)

[@everythingwithtuqa6831]

I love egg plants no matter how it’s been cooked being smoked I must say it would taste extra tasty

[@HungryManKitchen]

*How to make Turkish Round Pide:* kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKmWgIpjq9edY6c

[@iangoodisDMX]

Amazing, chef! You always wow us. Sounds healthy and delicious! Looks even better.

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thanks Ian, happy Easter!

[@PaddyJoeCooking]

Oh Hungry Man the recipes just keep on getting better and better and the cooking, the presentation the editing you are a genuine class act my friend. This Turkish Lamb Stew with Smoked Eggplant Bechamel looks absolutely divine😋👍!!!

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thank you so much Patrick :)

[@JenneMadden]

this really makes me crave for this, super tasty looking, sending hugs here

[@Mankitchenrecipes]

This looks Incredible 😋 and something I may give a try 🤔 Thank you for this recipe 😊

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thanks my friend!

[@ChefAprilKitchen]

waaaaoww how awesome is that, looks so delicious nice video friend

[@FoodTVwithLily]

Looks really yummy! Thank you for sharing!

[@shirleyminassian1547]

What a lovely dish ! Yum.

[@quick.easy.eat23]

Hey friend!! Here to watch ur delicious recipe, waiting on your ads!! Second one is over 3mins but you know what? I won't skip it as it's worth a wait to see your delicious food 😋

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thank you so much KoCA :)

[@GoodCookingIdeas]

Turkish lamb stew with smoked eggplant looks so yummy and tasty! Amazing dish! 👍8🌷

[@CookingwithAnadi]

Wow this looks absolutely divine and so flavourful! Awesome recipe, great video 👍

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thank you so much Anadi :)

[@MylesChannel]

looks tasty and delicious. thank you for sharing your amazing recipe, makes me hungry.

[@goldenwords2708]

Iooks so much Delicious👌👍 Perfectly prepared. Fully enjoyed

[@yasmindurrani5718]

I am making this for Eid

[@adventurousbaker5085]

I love the story that comes with it. Learned a new dish and some history!

[@HungryManKitchen]

Glad you like the story, have a great week ahead ;)

[@UgurSelcukK]

elinize sağlık. güzel tarifler için teşekkürler kolay gelsin

[@HungryManKitchen]

Cok tesekkur ederim!

[@MeatExperts]

Das sieht einfach wieder traumhaft aus 👍👍👍 GLG und noch einen schönen Feiertag Oswald

[@HungryManKitchen]

Vielen Dank Oswald!

[@OneHotBite]

I love the sauce and the eggplant is such a perfect ingredient!! Yummy yummy friend!!!

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thank you so much :)

[@ayseunal6478]

Excellent recipe. Excellent video. I think this video is the clearest one in English for hunkar begendi.💯💯

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@TheLemonGinger]

Awesome... both looks yummy and flavorful! 😊👍

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thank you 😋

[@PapaJenggot]

MasyaAllah... love it... so delicious.. great video...

[@malasirena2474]

I saw a recipe with minced meat and made it. Delicious 😊

[@cookingwithmimmo]

Very well done great video 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@borabayulug4248]

Sultan Abdülaziz ve kraliçe Eugenie arasındaki aşka borçlu olduğumuz bir yemek 😁

[@foodfightshowdown4077]

Your dish looks wonderful, well done my frnd. Happy Easter to you and your family. 😃😃😃

[@hebaplanet5146]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful video 👌👌👍 lt looks delicious recipe 😋😋 have a great day my friend 🥘🥘💖🙏 go on go on 💝💕🥰 waiting for your coming videos 💖💖💖 from heba planet 🙋‍♂️

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thank you very much!

[@alpertunga3300]

this is top of the dishes

[@rozinadinaa]

Afiyet olsun. Looks so good . like 12

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thank you Rozina, tesekkur ederim ;)

[@MitaRechalsYoungIndiaKitchen]

This looks so yummy and tasty 😋

[@biteit3205]

Fantastic 💟👍25

[@cookingwithsherry]

This looks so delicious! Your presentation was perfection

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thank you Sherry!

[@cocktailswithlele4042]

Great video! Love the recipe!

[@ChicagoGriller]

This looks tremendous!

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thank you!

[@EatWithTheBoys]

Nice thanks for sharing

[@ertugrulseker2718]

eline sağlık

[@mtgyturti]

I can tell, hunkar begendi is incredibly tasty

[@user-xz4eq2ci6h]

A delicious dish

[@mahnoorsw0rld482]

*W Yummy...* 😋

[@danielduarte1490]

Lovely recipe! Is there a way of doing the eggplants with an electric stove? Thank you very much for the video !

[@michaelbillypec]

I use the eggplant from a jar and it does just fine

[@marjangorji1883]

looks lovely 😍

[@Leelanaganath]

Looks very delicious n yummyyyyy 😋😋

[@primitive8179]

Wow so yummy

[@AIRINfamily]

Hello, your video is great.

[@picklepee2771]

Well done, making this when I get paid!

[@Rrukofall]

Awesome meal..

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thank you!

[@Alia64]

Very beautiful👏🌹

[@LivinginNorway]

So tasty! 👍

[@safir8888]

Bu yemek Ali naziğin farklı bir versiyonu. gerçekten bu iki yemeği çok severek yiyorum, Türk olduğum için bu yemekler konusunda çok şanslıyım

[@avefalcone]

What's the version of Ali Nazik ? Teşekkür ederim

[@safir8888]

@@avefalcone The biggest difference between the two dishes is that in the Alinazik dish, cubed meat is served on top of roasted eggplant with yoghurt. In the Hünkar beğendi bechamel dish, bechamel sauce with roasted eggplant is prepared and served with cubed meat on top

[@rhondashareif1470]

Is the beschimel sauce supposed be thick like white gravy? When cooking it it looks like southern gravy just with butter instead meat drippings

[@kulsoomraza6479]

❤❤❤

[@praticfood9627]

wow it looks super tasty!! :)) i wtchd until end and I S... you ;) Ihope to sty connted! ;))

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thank you, see you around!

[@bdistance]

So good! Very similar to Ali Nazik kebab? Or different in taste?

[@HungryManKitchen]

Looks similar but quite different in terms of taste ;)

[@fionamcintosh4814]

😋👌🏿

[@abeershaath6757]

Do you think i can cook this with pasta? Or rice on the side ?

[@HungryManKitchen]

Rice might be a better choice :)

[@jack6964]

That looks great! Do you use lamb shoulder? It didn’t look like leg of lamb.

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thank John, it's leg of lamb, I'm buying it from a local butcher and see him selecting the meat and making the cut ;)

[@jack6964]

@@HungryManKitchen thanks! Good to know that.

[@aysarbisanal]

for the algo

[@aysarbisanal]

W

[@eyyupozgun6131]

Çok güzel yemek yapiyorusnuz emeğinize sağlık instegraminiz varmi

[@HungryManKitchen]

Cok tesekkurler! Anasayfa sag ust kosede linki gorebilirsiniz.

[@sahtesarisinmuzaffer]

It would be better if the eggplants was directly exposed to the fire. Plus a little nutmeg to the bechamel would make a big difference.

[@scratchinpetepa]

Delicious as always! Thanks for sharing!

[@HungryManKitchen]

Thank you Pete!