It seems as though every week that passes brings the chill a bit closer to our bones. Fall has fully descended on the District and it’s even beginning to feel like winter is on its way. For every degree of mercury we lose, our bellies crave a little more richness and a little more flavor to coat our weary bones. Last week’s tacos not only reminded us how delightful braised meat dishes can be, but also brought to mind a dish that we’ve enjoyed at Zaytinya that is especially fitting for this time of year.

Jose Andres’ Hunkar Begendi is a classic Turkish pairing of braised lamb with a delightfully filling eggplant puree. Taking four hours start to finish, this is definitely something you won’t tackle on a weekday evening, but we suggest that you stock up on these ingredients and give this one a whirl on a cold, rainy November weekend. If the thought of spending so much time for just four small plates is too much to bear, at least head to Zaytinya to try out the real deal. You definitely won’t regret it, and you may even be inspired to give it a go at home.