Vegetarian moussaka
Description
The recipe won't take much time. This delicious casserole made with eggplants, zucchini, potatoes, and tomatoes is suitable for vegetarians, vegans, and fasting diets. Serve hot.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Usually, the classic moussaka recipe uses béchamel sauce, but today our recipe is not quite traditional, so instead of béchamel, we'll make a cashew sauce. To do this, we need to cover the cashews with water and let them soak for 2 hours.
- 2
Step 2
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Slice clean eggplants (with stems removed) lengthwise into 1-1.5 cm thick slices or rounds, sprinkle with salt, mist with olive oil, and place in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Do exactly the same with zucchini.
- 3
Step 3
Potato slices can be baked together with eggplants and zucchinis, but they need to be baked longer, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Step 4
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan, add diced onion and 2 cloves of peeled garlic, and sauté over medium heat until translucent.
- 5
Step 5
Add oregano, cinnamon, thyme, and finely chopped parsley to the onion and mix well.
- 6
Step 6
Dice 2 tomatoes and peppers, add them to the pan with the onion, then add tomato paste and wine. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
- 7
Step 7
Heat the remaining olive oil in a saucepan, add the cashews blended in a blender, and stir over medium heat.
- 8
Step 8
Add cornstarch, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and pressed garlic to the cashews, then gradually add 1.5 cups of water while stirring. Simmer slightly until it reaches a sour cream-like consistency.
- 9
Step 9
Line a deep baking dish with parchment paper. Layer half of the potatoes, drizzle with olive oil, season with pepper. Add a layer of half of the zucchini, cover with half of the tomato mixture, then a layer of half of the eggplants. Add another layer of potatoes, drizzle with olive oil, season with pepper, and repeat the layers until all vegetables are used (ending with a layer of eggplants).
- 10
Step 10
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees (if you've already turned it off), pour the cashew sauce evenly over the casserole, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, top with sliced tomatoes and bake the moussaka for 30-40 minutes.
- 11
Step 11
Take it out of the oven, garnish with herbs, slice, let it cool for about 10-15 minutes, arrange on plates, and enjoy.