Greek Moussaka
Though Moussaka doesn’t origin in Greece, it became the best known of all Greek dishes. Authentic Moussaka is a casserole made with ground lamb and eggplant covered with a thick layer of béchamel sauce. The latter is quite tricky to master. Alternatively, try a combination with Kleftiko, a lamb dish baked in parchment paper. It’s easy to prepare, fun to eat, and has a rich Moussaka flavor.
Ingredients
Shopping list
- 1 lb ground meat lamb or beef recommended
- 1/2 large eggplant cut lengthwise into thin 1/4 slices
- 1/2 lb large potatoes cut lengthwise into thin 1/4 slices
- 2 tbsp red wine
- 1 cup diced tomatoes fresh or from can
- 1 cup grated cheese of your choice
- 1 lettuce of your choice
You might have
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 orange for juice
- 2 tbsp butter
- flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- olive oil
- salt & pepper
Culinary Spice Kit
- Black pepper,thyme, cinnamon, bay leaves
Instructions
Prepare
- In a BOWL, add eggplant and a pinch of salt. Cover with cold water. Let rest for 15 minutes. Drain and dry the eggplants with kitchen paper.
Fry Step 1
- In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
- Fry potatoes in several batches until all potatoes are almost cooked, but not brown. Careful! It is important that you don't brown the potatoes!
- Fry dried eggplants in several batches until they turn slightly brown.
Fry Step 2
- In the meantime, in another PAN, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
- Add meat, onion, garlic, Moussaka Spices, and salt to taste.
- Stir-fry until meat is crumbled.
- Add wine and cook over medium heat until all liquid is absorbed.
- Add tomatoes and 1/4 cup water and cook over medium heat until all liquid is absorbed.
Prepare Sauce (shortly before baking)
- In a POT, melt 2 tbsp butter over low heat.
- Stir in 2 tbsp flour.
- Slowly stir in 1 cup of milk.
- Quickly stir in 1 egg.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Bake
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a BAKING DISH, place single layers in this order:
- - potatoes
- - sprinkle with salt & pepper to taste
- - eggplants
- - sprinkle with salt & pepper to taste
- - meat
- - cheese
- If you use a small BAKING DISH, you can repeat the layers.
- Pour sauce over Moussaka layers.
- Bake in oven for 40-60 minutes until the milk-egg-mix has set and the top turned slightly brown.
Salad
- Mix 3 tbsp orange juice, 1 tbsp oil, salt & pepper to taste. Toss over lettuce.
- Enjoy!