Which Turkish lamb dish is served on a bed of smoky eggplant puree?

Which Turkish lamb dish is served on a bed of smoky eggplant puree? The answer is Hünkar beğendi.

Hünkar beğendi consists of tender pieces of lamb served over a smooth eggplant purée. The eggplants are grilled or roasted until their skins are charred, creating the smoky flavor that distinguishes the dish. The softened flesh is then blended with seasonings and thickened with béchamel sauce, often with cheese included in modern preparations.

The name translates roughly as “the sovereign liked it” or “the sovereign is pleased.” It belongs to the Ottoman culinary tradition and is commonly associated with palace cuisine. Although lamb is the classic pairing, versions using beef also exist.

The dish is easy to confuse with other Turkish eggplant specialties. Karnıyarık is a whole eggplant stuffed with ground meat, while musakka is typically a layered or casserole-style preparation. İmam bayıldı is usually meatless and built around onions, garlic, and tomatoes rather than a béchamel-enriched purée topped with meat.