Greek “Moussaka”

Greek “Moussaka”

Recipe type: entree Yield: 10 Prep time: 45 mins Cook time: 1 hour Total time: 1 hour 45 mins

Recipe for Greek “Moussaka” by Restaurateur George Korominas from Acropolis Cuisine

Ingredients:

1 large eggplant
ice water
1/2 c. salt.
2 potatoes
FOR MEAT SAUCE: 1 onion, chopped.
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 lb ground lamb
2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. full bodied red wine
FOR CHEESE MIXTURE: 1 c. ricotta cheese
3/4 c. feta cheese
1/4 c. Kefalotiri or Pecorino Romano
1 large egg
FOR BECHAMEL SAUCE: 1 1/4c. whole milk
1/4 onion
1 bay leaf
2 cloves
1 pinch nutmeg
2. T. unsalted butter
2 T. all-purpose flour
GARNISH: Tomatoes or Parsley

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F Degrees.
2. Cut 1 large eggplant, 1/4 inch slice, placing in large bowl of ice water and 1/2 c. salt.
3. Soak 20 minutes and place in strainer to drain.
4. Peel and boil 2 baking potatoes until neither crispy nor soft.
5. Drain, cool, and slice, 1/4 inch.
6. In a large skillet over high heat with 1/2 c. olive oil, fry potato slices 2 minutes per side and drain on paper towels.
7. Fry eggplant 3 minutes per side and drain on paper towels.
8. To make the meat sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sweat 1 onion, chopped.
9. Add 1/2 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork and 1/2 lb ground lamb and brown, 7 to 8 minutes.
10. Add 2 tsp. oregano, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg and 3 cloves garlic, minced.
11. Deglaze pan with 1/2 c. full bodied red wine and reduce for 2-3 minutes.
12. To make cheese mixture: Combine 1 c. ricotta cheese, 3/4 c. feta cheese, 1/4 c. Kefalotiri or Pecorino Romano and 1 large egg, beaten.
13. To make béchamel sauce: In a small saucepan over low heat combine 1 1/4c. whole milk, 1/4 onion, 1 bay leaf, 2 cloves and pinch nutmeg and simmer for 15 minutes.
14. Discard onion, bay leaf and cloves.
15. In a second small saucepan over medium heat melt 2. T. unsalted butter and stir in 2 T. all-purpose flour, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes but do not brown.
16. While stirring continuously, slowly add warm milk mixture one-third at a time while simmering for a total of 8 to 10 minutes.
17. To assemble: Butter a 9×13 glass baking pan and layer with potatoes, then half of meat mixture, then half of cheese mixture, then eggplant slices, then remaining half of meat, and then remaining half of cheese mixture, and top with béchamel sauce, allowing béchamel to run into sides of pan.
18. Sprinkle with Kefalotiri or Pecorino Romano.
19. Bake covered for 30 minutes and uncovered for an additional 30 minutes.
20. Rest 5 minutes before serving.
21. Garnish with Kefalotiri or Pecorino Romano, tomatoes and flat Italian parsley.

Published on August 26, 2014 by Teri Williams