Moussaka Moussaka
Author: Kaylie Kist
Cuisine: Greek
- For the meat base:
- Olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 500g lean lamb mince
- 200ml good red wine
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 400g can chopped tomatoes
- Pinch of caster sugar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2-3 large aubergines, thickly sliced
- For the Béchamel sauce:
- 75g butter
- 75g plain flour
- 500ml milk
- 1 large organic egg yolk
- 100g Parmesan, grated
- 75g grated cheddar cheese
- Grated nutmeg
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan180°C/gas 6.
- Heat a splash of oil in a large pan, add the onion and fry on a low heat for 5 minutes, stirring, until soft.
- Add the garlic and cumin and fry for 1 minute. Add the purée and fry for 1 more minute.
- Add the lamb, turning up the heat and fry for around 5- 8 minutes until browned all over. Pour away any excess oil.
- Add the wine and cinnamon, slowly simmer for a few minutes
- Add the tomatoes, 100ml water, the sugar and oregano. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick.
- Check the flavour and season.
- Meanwhile, brush the aubergine with olive oil and season. Heat a griddle pan until very hot, griddle aubergine on both sides until golden brown. Set aside on kitchen paper.
- To make the béchamel sauce. Melt the butter in a small pan, add the flour and stir to make a roux (paste).
- Remove from the heat whilst gradually stirring in the milk.
- Place the pan over a gentle heat and simmer, stirring, until thickened. Remove from the heat, let the mix cool slightly, stir in the egg yolk and half the parmesan cheese. Season to taste.
- Take your 2litre oven proof dish and layer the aubergine and mince. Repeat, then spread the white sauce on top.
- Scatter with the remaining parmesan cheese and sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese on top
- Finish with grating nutmeg across the cheese scattered surface.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes in the pre heated oven until golden.
- Serve with a Greek salad or wedges
Recipe by Sustarian Living at https://www.sustarianliving.com/moussaka-moussaka-1/
3.5.3236