Sultan's Delight

Sultan's Delight Recipe from Turkey: Mutton and Eggplant in a Creamy Kashar Sauce

Region / culture: Turkey | Servings: - 4

Introduction

Sultan's Delight is a traditional Turkish dish that combines tender mutton kebab with a creamy eggplant purée. This rich and flavorful dish is sure to impress your guests and leave them wanting more.

History

Sultan's Delight has a long history dating back to the Ottoman Empire. It was a favorite dish of the sultans and was often served at royal banquets. The combination of succulent mutton and creamy eggplant purée was considered a delicacy fit for royalty.

Ingredients

1000 g of mutton
2 tbsp of margarine
2 onions
2 medium tomatoes or 2 tbsp of tomato paste
0.5 tbsp of black pepper
salt
2.5 glasses of water

Eggplant Purée

750 g of eggplant
2.5 tbsp of flour
3 tbsp of butter
1.2 glasses of milk
0.25 glass of grated kashar cheese [1]

How to prepare

Peel and grate the onions.
Pare the tomatoes, scoop out the seeds and dice.

Kebab

Put margarine and grated onions in a saucepan and sauté over moderate heat.
Add meat and sauté with the onions for 3-4 minutes until golden.
Cover and cook until the meat absorbs the water while stirring occasionally.
Season with 0.5 tbsp black pepper and salt.
Add the tomatoes or the tomato paste and 2-2.5 glasses of hot water, and simmer until the meat is tender.
Check occasionally for water and add water if necessary.

Eggplant Purée

Put the butter and flour in a small saucepan, place over moderate heat and sauté for 2 minutes making sure that the flour doesn't turn golden.
Set aside.
Grill the eggplants on strong coal or gas heat, burning the skins.
Peel the skins of eggplants and blanch them in a bowl containing lemon juice.
After blanching for 15 minutes, remove the eggplants from lemon juice and press them with hand to drain.
Put the eggplants in the flour one by one and blend them well with a fork.
Place the saucepan on heat, add 1 tbsp of salt and 0.2 glasses of hot milk, and blend them well by beating rapidly.
Continue beating until the eggplant mixture becomes a dense paste.
Add the grated kashar, stir well and remove heat.
When both the kebab and purée are ready, place purée on serving dish, put the meat decoratively in the middle and serve hot.

Variations

You can substitute lamb or beef for the mutton in this recipe.
Add your favorite spices and herbs to customize the flavor of the dish.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to cook the mutton until it is tender and flavorful.

- Be careful not to overcook the eggplant purée, as it can become mushy.

- Season the dish generously with salt, black pepper, and any other spices you prefer.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Sultan's Delight with a side of rice pilaf and a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Cooking Techniques

Grilling the eggplants adds a smoky flavor to the dish.

- Sautéing the mutton with onions enhances the flavor of the meat.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use olive oil instead of margarine for a healthier option.

- Use cheddar or mozzarella cheese if you don't have kashar cheese.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the eggplant purée and mutton kebab ahead of time and assemble the dish just before serving.

Presentation Ideas

Garnish Sultan's Delight with fresh herbs, such as parsley or mint, for a pop of color.

Pairing Recommendations

Serve Sultan's Delight with a glass of red wine or a refreshing yogurt drink.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

- Reheat Sultan's Delight in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

400 per serving

Carbohydrates

25g per serving

Fats

20g per serving

Proteins

30g per serving

Vitamins and minerals

Sultan's Delight is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (butter, milk, cheese) and gluten (flour).

Summary

Sultan's Delight is a well-balanced dish that provides a good source of protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Sultan's Delight is a classic Turkish dish that combines tender mutton kebab with creamy eggplant purée. This rich and flavorful dish is perfect for special occasions or a cozy dinner at home. Enjoy the taste of royalty with Sultan's Delight!

How did I get this recipe?

The memory of finding this recipe for the first time brings a smile to my face. It was many years ago, during a trip to Istanbul, Turkey, where I had the pleasure of dining at a quaint little restaurant tucked away in a bustling market. The aroma of exotic spices and flavors wafted through the air, enticing me to explore the menu and try something new.

As I perused the offerings, one dish in particular caught my eye - Sultan's Delight. The name alone piqued my curiosity, and when the waiter described it as a rich and decadent dish fit for royalty, I knew I had to try it. The tender pieces of lamb simmered in a velvety eggplant puree, topped with a dollop of creamy bechamel sauce, sounded like a match made in culinary heaven.

With each bite, I was transported to a world of flavors and textures unlike anything I had ever tasted before. The savory lamb melted in my mouth, while the silky smooth eggplant puree added a luscious depth of flavor. The creamy bechamel sauce tied everything together perfectly, creating a dish that was truly fit for a sultan.

I couldn't leave Istanbul without trying to recreate this masterpiece at home. I asked the chef for the recipe, but he simply smiled and shook his head, saying it was a closely guarded secret passed down through generations. Undeterred, I made it my mission to uncover the mysteries of Sultan's Delight and bring a taste of Istanbul back with me.

Back home in my cozy kitchen, I set to work. I scoured cookbooks, searched online, and even reached out to friends who had visited Istanbul in the hopes of finding a clue to unlocking the recipe. After weeks of trial and error, I finally stumbled upon a recipe that seemed to capture the essence of Sultan's Delight.

I gathered the ingredients - tender lamb, silky eggplant, creamy bechamel sauce - and set to work. The kitchen filled with the comforting aroma of spices and herbs as I sautéed the lamb and roasted the eggplant to perfection. I carefully layered the components in a baking dish, adding a generous helping of bechamel sauce on top before popping it in the oven to bake.

As the dish cooked, the anticipation grew. Would my version of Sultan's Delight live up to the memory of that magical meal in Istanbul? When the timer finally beeped, I pulled the steaming dish from the oven and took a tentative bite.

The flavors exploded on my taste buds, transporting me back to that bustling market in Istanbul. The tender lamb, the silky eggplant, the creamy bechamel - it was all there, perfectly balanced and delicious. I couldn't believe I had managed to recreate such a complex and flavorful dish in my own kitchen.

From that day on, Sultan's Delight became a staple in my culinary repertoire. I shared the recipe with friends and family, delighting in their reactions as they savored each bite. The dish became a symbol of my adventurous spirit and my love for exploring new flavors and cuisines.

As I sit here in my kitchen, surrounded by the comforting aromas of spices and herbs, I can't help but smile at the memory of finding that elusive recipe for Sultan's Delight. It's a reminder of the joy and satisfaction that comes from unlocking the secrets of a truly unforgettable dish, and the joy of sharing that discovery with others.