Ingredients
– 4 medium eggplants
– 500g (1 lb) ground lamb or beef
– 1 large onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 400g (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes
– 2 tablespoons tomato paste
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 100ml (1/2 cup) red wine (optional)
– 4 tablespoons olive oil
– 60g (2 oz) grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
Instructions
Follow these step-by-step instructions to create the perfect Traditional Outrageously Delicious Greek Moussaka:
1. Prepare the Eggplants: Slice the eggplants into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Sprinkle them with salt and let them sit for about 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Rinse and pat dry.
2. Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Bake the Eggplants: Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside.
4. Cook the Meat Mixture: In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, sautéing until translucent. Add the ground meat and cook until browned.
5. Add the Tomato Mixture: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, cinnamon, oregano, allspice, salt, black pepper, and red wine (if using). Cook for about 15 minutes on low heat until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat.
6. Make the Béchamel Sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, then gradually add the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cook until thickened.
7. Incorporate the Eggs: Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl. Gradually add the hot béchamel sauce to the eggs, stirring constantly to temper them. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook for another minute. Season with nutmeg and salt.
8. Assemble the Moussaka: In a baking dish, layer half of the eggplants at the bottom. Spread half of the meat mixture on top. Add the remaining eggplants and top with the rest of the meat mixture.
9. Add the Béchamel: Pour the béchamel sauce evenly over the top layer. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top for an extra touch.
10. Bake: Bake the assembled Moussaka in your preheated oven for 45 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbling.
11. Cool and Serve: Allow the Moussaka to cool for 20 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Fat: 24g
- Protein: 20g