Classic moussaka
Description
The dish is prepared without unnecessary complications. We have reviewed it. The finished dish can be served at the table.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Slice the eggplants into rounds and soak them in cold salted water for 30-40 minutes. This is necessary to remove all the bitterness from the vegetable.
- 2
Step 2
Peel the potatoes and slice them into rings, then put them to boil for about 15–20 minutes. Watch carefully so the potatoes don't become too soft. It's better to slightly undercook them than to overcook.
- 3
Step 3
Peel the tomatoes by making crosswise cuts on the fruits, then immerse them in boiling water for 1 minute, followed immediately by cold water.
- 4
Step 4
Then cut the tomatoes into small cubes. Peel and slice the onion into quarter-rings.
- 5
Step 5
Grate the cheese on a fine grater.
- 6
Step 6
Dry the eggplants and fry each piece on both sides for a couple of minutes. It's better to fry them either without oil or with a small amount (then blot off excess fat with a paper towel).
- 7
Step 7
Place the minced meat into the pan where the eggplants were fried, and cook for about 4 minutes, thoroughly breaking up any lumps.
- 8
Step 8
Add onion, tomatoes, wine, salt, pepper, and cinnamon to the minced meat and simmer until the liquid has completely evaporated.
- 9
Step 9
Chop the parsley and add it to the meat a minute before turning off the heat.
- 10
Step 10
While the meat is cooking, prepare the sauce. To do this, melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat, add the flour, and sauté the mixture for about 4 minutes, constantly stirring thoroughly with a wooden spatula.
- 11
Step 11
Then, slowly pour in the milk in a thin stream while vigorously stirring the sauce with a spatula to prevent lumps from forming. It's better to start with 0.4 of the milk, so you can later adjust the sauce's thickness. Continuously stirring, bring the sauce to a boil, add salt, nutmeg, and cheese. Cook until the cheese is completely melted. Remove the sauce from heat, let it cool for about 5 minutes, then stir in the eggs, which have been lightly beaten with a fork beforehand.
- 12
Step 12
Take a baking dish, lightly grease it with oil, and layer the moussaka: first potatoes, then eggplants, followed by meat. Pour the sauce on top. Bake in the oven for 40-50 minutes.
- 13
Step 13
When the crust on the dish turns golden brown, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool slightly. Serve cut into portion pieces.