Moussaka (tested recipe)
Description
The dish is prepared without unnecessary complications. Moussaka is a traditional Greek dish. Eggplants are usually cut into long slices, but you can also slice them into rounds. The eggplant pieces are first fried in a pan or baked in the oven. Separately, a meat sauce is prepared using tomatoes and ground meat, along with a creamy sauce, or béchamel. The finished dish can then be served.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
1. Wash the eggplants, slice them into thin rounds, or cut into slices.
- 2
Step 2
2. Place the eggplant slices into a bowl and sprinkle with salt, which will help remove the bitterness.
- 3
Step 3
3. Already after 15-20 minutes you will notice liquid on the eggplants.
- 4
Step 4
4. Wash the eggplants and place the slices on a paper or regular towel.
- 5
Step 5
5. Place the eggplants in a single layer on a baking sheet and put them in a preheated oven at 200 degrees for 15-25 minutes.
- 6
Step 6
6. Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Sauté the onion first in a hot skillet, then add the garlic and cook for 8-10 minutes. Add the ground meat to the vegetables in the skillet and cook until done, breaking it apart with a spatula. Finely chop the tomatoes, add them to the cooked meat, then mix in tomato paste, wine, fresh chopped parsley, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer under a closed lid over low heat for 20-30 minutes.
- 7
Step 7
7. Prepare another sauce: melt butter in a separate skillet, add flour and whisk to combine. Pour in a cup of milk and stir, then add the remaining milk. Bring the mixture to a boil, cook for 2–3 minutes, and remove from heat. Add grated cheese (2 tablespoons), nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- 8
Step 8
8. In another bowl, beat the chicken egg, add it to the cooled sauce based on milk and flour, and mix well.
- 9
Step 9
9. Place one-third of the eggplants on the bottom of the baking dish, then spread half of the meat sauce on top.
- 10
Step 10
10. Cover the meat sauce with the second part of the eggplants, then spread the remaining meat sauce on top.
- 11
Step 11
11. Place the remaining eggplants on top and pour the second sauce (flour + milk) over them, spreading it evenly over the entire surface.
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Step 12
12. Grate the remaining cheese and sprinkle it over the casserole.
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Step 13
13. Bake everything in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for about 50-60 minutes. Let the dish cool for 10 minutes before serving.