In turkish, this dish is called "The sultan liked it, " Or "Hunkar beendi" (hoon-kyar' bay'-en-dee'), and for good reason. Can you imagine anything more delicious than a succulent, melt-in-your-mouth beef stew served over a warm, creamy mash of eggplant and aged cheese?This classic turkish main course is one of the highlights of turkish cuisine and a great example of the kinds of food served in the ottoman palace kitchens. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to prepare this dish, especially if you already have roasted eggplant on hand. Hunkar beendi is another great example of how turkish cooks use very simple ingredients to create delicious dishes. In addition, you don't have to stick to a totally turkish menu to serve this dish. It also goes very well with more familiar side dishes like steamed asparagus and fancy, new potatoes.