Hunkar Begendi (roasted Eggplant Puree)

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.02

Title: HUNKAR BEGENDI (ROASTED EGGPLANT PUREE)
Categories: Middle east, Turkish, Vegetable, Eggplant, Time/life
Yield: 3 cups

4 sm Eggplant; (about 1/2 lb. or
;2 md. (about 1 lb. ea.)
1 tb Butter
1 tb Flour
1/3 c Milk
1/4 c Kasher/kasseri; freshly
;grated or use Romano cheese
1/2 ts Salt
Black pepper; freshly grated

First, roast the eggplants in the following fashion:
Prick each one in 3 or 4 places with the tines of a
long handled fork. Then impale them, one at a time,
on the tines of the fork and turn them over a gas
flame until the skin chars and begins to crack. (If
you have an electric stove, pierce the eggplants,
place them on a large baking sheet and broil them 4
inches from the heat sseri; freshly
: ;grated or use Romano cheese
1/2 ts Salt
: Black pepper; freshly grated

First, roasm, cutting away any
badly charred spots on the surface. Cut the eggplants
in half lengthwise and chop them finely. Then mash
the pulp to a smooth puree with the back of a spoon or
with a mortar and pestle.
In a heavy 3 to 4 quart saucepan, heat the
tablespoon of butter over moderate heat. When the
foam begins to subside, stir in the flour and when it
is completely absorbed pour in the milk all at once.
Stirring vigorously with a whisk, cook over high heat
until the mixture comes to a boil and thickens
heavily. Beat in the pureed eggplant, reduce the heat
to low, and, stirring occasionally, simmer for 5
minutes. Off the heat add the cheese, salt and a few
grindings of pepper. Beat vigorously until the mixture
is thick enough to hold its shape almost solidly in
the spoon.
Taste for seasoning and serve at once. Hunkar
begendi traditionally accompanies roast or braised
veal or lamb.

Time Life Series: Middle Eastern Cooking, "circa 69"

MMed by: earl.cravens@salata.com

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