Classic Greek Moussaka

Layers of deliciousness! This Moussaka is pure comfort food. 😋🍆🥔

1. What to Know First:

Classic Greek Moussaka is a layered casserole of eggplant, seasoned meat sauce, and creamy béchamel. This iconic dish offers a rich and comforting taste of the Mediterranean.

2. Ingredients List:

• 50g homemade bread crumbs
• 50 g butter
• 480g chopped tomatoes from a can
• 2-4 egg plants, thinly sliced
• 3 egg yolks
• 230g feta cheese, grated
• 50 g flour
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• ¼ tsp ground allspice
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• Salt and ground white pepper
• 400 g lean minced beef
• 250 ml warm milk
• 1 Tbs olive oil
• Olive oil
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• Sea salt
• 2 Tbs tomato paste

3. Step-by-Step Instructions:

Begin by preparing the eggplant and meat sauce separately. Layer the eggplant, meat sauce, and béchamel in a baking dish. Bake until golden brown and bubbly, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 1: Prepare Eggplant

Sprinkle the eggplant slices generously with salt. Let them stand for 45 minutes to draw out moisture. Rinse thoroughly under cold water to remove excess salt. Then, lightly brush each slice with olive oil and grill in a preheated grill pan for a few minutes per side. Set aside the grilled eggplant slices.

Step 2: Sauté Meat Sauce

Lightly sauté chopped onions in olive oil in a large pan until they become tender and translucent. Add ground beef to the pan and sauté, stirring frequently to break up any large clumps of meat. Continue cooking until the meat is no longer pink, ensuring it's cooked through evenly.

Step 3: Season the Meat Sauce

Stir in the diced tomatoes, minced garlic, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture. Simmer the sauce gently on low heat for a short period, allowing the flavors to meld together harmoniously. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little water to achieve the desired consistency.

Step 4: Prepare Béchamel Sauce

Remove the meat sauce from the heat and set aside. To prepare the béchamel sauce, add flour to the melted butter in a saucepan, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Once the mixture is evenly thick, gradually whisk in warm milk until smooth. Gently bring the sauce to a boil, then remove from heat and season with pepper and nutmeg.

Step 5: Enrich Béchamel with Egg Yolks

Whisk the egg yolks vigorously into the béchamel sauce until fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Set the béchamel sauce aside for later use. Thinly coat an ovenproof baking dish with olive oil, then sprinkle the bottom with homemade bread crumbs to prevent sticking.

Step 6: Assemble and Bake Moussaka

Place a layer of grilled eggplant slices in the prepared baking dish, then cover with a portion of the meat sauce and crumbled feta cheese. Repeat this layering process until the dish is almost full, finishing with a layer of feta cheese. Top the dish generously with the béchamel sauce. Cover with tin foil and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 1 hour.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Remove the moussaka from the oven after baking. Allow it to set at room temperature for approximately 45 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the layers to settle and the flavors to meld further, resulting in a more cohesive and flavorful dish.

4. Serving Suggestions

Serve the moussaka warm, allowing it to rest for a few minutes after baking. It pairs well with a Greek salad and a glass of robust red wine.

5. Nutrition

Serving size: 4 servings, Calories: 847kcal, Protein: 42g, Fat: 52g, Carbohydrates: 56g, Fiber: 12g, Sugar: 21g, Cholesterol: 294mg, Sodium: 1348mg

6. The Tasty Ending:

Classic Greek Moussaka is a labor of love that rewards you with a symphony of flavors and textures. Share this comforting dish with family and friends and savor the taste of Greece!