Seweryn Dominsky
Flavorful Greek Moussaka: An Ultimate Comfort Food Masterpiece
Moussaka is a traditional Greek dish, layered with eggplant, ground meat, and a creamy béchamel sauce. It’s a hearty and satisfying dish that is perfect for family dinners or special occasions. The layers of tender eggplant, spiced meat, and velvety sauce create a symphony of flavors and textures that’s truly irresistible. This recipe captures the essence of Greek cuisine with its rich and savory taste.
Ingredients:
For the eggplant layer:
– 3 large eggplants, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– Salt
For the meat sauce:
– 1 lb ground lamb or beef
– 1 large onion, finely chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
– 1/4 cup red wine (optional)
– 2 tbsp tomato paste
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– Salt and pepper to taste
For the béchamel sauce:
– 4 tbsp butter
– 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
– 2 1/2 cups milk
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 egg yolks
– Salt and pepper to taste
– A pinch of ground nutmeg
Instructions:
Prepare the eggplant:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Lay the eggplant slices on a baking sheet and brush both sides with olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender and slightly golden. Set aside.
Make the meat sauce:
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground meat until browned. Remove excess fat if necessary.
2. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
4. Add the diced tomatoes, red wine (if using), tomato paste, cinnamon, nutmeg, oregano, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened. Remove from heat.
Prepare the béchamel sauce:
1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes, forming a smooth paste.
3. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.
5. In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks. Gradually whisk a small amount of the hot béchamel sauce into the yolks to temper them, then add the yolk mixture back into the saucepan, whisking constantly.
Assemble the Moussaka:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the baked eggplant slices on the bottom.
3. Spread the meat sauce evenly over the eggplant layer.
4. Top with the remaining eggplant slices.
5. Pour the béchamel sauce over the top, spreading it evenly to cover the entire dish.
Bake:
1. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
2. Let the moussaka rest for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.
Enjoy your utterly scrumptious and comforting Greek Moussaka!
