Mmm'ousaka
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Moussaka is a classic Greek dish, rich in flavor and texture. It combines layers of eggplant, a hearty meat sauce, and a creamy béchamel topping, all baked to golden perfection. Here's a traditional recipe you can try at home.
Ingredients:
For the Eggplant:
- 2-3 large eggplants, sliced into rounds
- Salt
- Olive oil
For the Meat Sauce:
- 500g ground lamb or beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- 400g canned tomatoes, crushed
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil
For the Béchamel Sauce:
- 50g butter
- 50g flour
- 500ml milk
- 1 egg yolk
- Nutmeg, a pinch
- Salt and pepper
For Assembly:
- 50g grated Parmesan or Kefalotyri cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Eggplant:
- Slice the eggplants, sprinkle them with salt, and let them sit for 30 minutes to release moisture.
- Rinse and pat them dry.
- Heat olive oil in a pan and fry the eggplant slices until golden brown, or alternatively, bake them in the oven at 200°C (400°F) for 20 minutes.
2. Make the Meat Sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a large pan. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft.
- Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in the ground meat, breaking it apart until browned.
- Add the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 20-30 minutes until thickened.
3. Prepare the Béchamel:
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the flour and whisk to form a smooth paste (roux).
- Gradually add the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
- Continue cooking until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat, season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper, then stir in the egg yolk.
4. Assemble the Moussaka:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a greased baking dish, layer half of the eggplant slices at the bottom.
- Spread the meat sauce evenly over the eggplant.
- Add another layer of eggplant slices.
- Pour the béchamel sauce over the top, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle grated cheese on top.
5. Bake:
- Bake the Moussaka in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy this Mediterranean delight!