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Moussaka (Greek Eggplant Casserole)

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Moussaka - Greek Eggplant Casserole

I absolutely love Greek food and Moussaka is the perfect go-to comfort food. Moussaka is a Greek Eggplant Casserole that is traditionally made with ground lamb or beef, but soy crumbles can also be used for a vegetarian alternative. Since it does take a bit more time to prepare than most of my go-to dinner dishes, I don’t make it as often as I’d like, but thoroughly indulge when I do.

Moussaka - Greek Eggplant Casserole
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Moussaka (Greek Eggplant Casserole)

Moussaka is a Greek Eggplant Casserole, and perfect for comfort food. It is traditionally made with ground lamb or beef, but soy crumbles can also be used for a vegetarian alternative.
Prep Time1 hour 45 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time2 hours 45 minutes
Course: Entree
Cuisine: Greek
Servings: 6
Author: Patti from CooksRecipeCollection.com

Ingredients

For Eggplant:

  • 3 medium eggplant
  • 3/4 cup olive oil extra virgin

For Meat Sauce (or Vegetarian Option):

  • 1/4 cup olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground lamb or beef (or 1 package frozen soy crumbles)
  • 3 tomatoes chopped
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried oregano (or 2 tsp fresh oregano)
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine
  • salt and pepper to taste

For Bechamel Sauce:

  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 6 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1 tsp salt
  • white pepper to taste

For Moussaka Assembly:

  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  • Peel and slice eggplant into 1/2 inch slices. Brush both sides of the eggplant slices with olive oil, and bake in a single layer for 10 minutes on each side. They will be golden browned. Set aside to cool. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.
  • For meat sauce, heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic cook about 15 minutes or until translucent; add and ground meat (or Frozen Soy Crumbles) to the pan and cook for an additional 15 minutes, or until the meat is browned or the Soy Crumbles have thawn completely. Add the remaining meat sauce ingredients, and cook for about 20 minutes, or until moisture has evaporated. Set this mixture aside.
  • For Bechamel sauce, melt butter under low heat in a medium saute pan, add flour and cook for about 1 - 2 minutes. This will be a white sauce, so don't allow it to brown at this point. Slowly whisk in milk. Continue stiring until mixture is thickened and smooth, about an additional 15 minutes. Remove from heat and add 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese. Set sauce aside.
  • To assemble moussaka, place one layer of eggplant slices on bottom of a 13 x 9 inch baking dish, overlapping slices. Spread the eggplant with 1/3 of the meat sauce, then sprinkle with 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese. Add two more layers of eggplant, meat sauce, and cheese. Cover the layers with the Bechamel sauce, and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake Moussake for about 1 hour, or until mixture is bubbly and golden browned on top. Let sit for about 20 minutes after removing from oven, cut and serve.

Recommended for this recipe:

Moussaka (Greek Eggplant Casserole) is traditionally made with ground lamb or beef, but soy crumbles can also be used for a vegetarian alternative.

Pork Souvlaki (Greek Pork Kabobs)

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Serves 8

Ingredients:

2 lbs.  Lean Pork, cut into 1 inch cubes
2 Bell Peppers, cored, seeded and cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
1 Medium Onion, peeled and cut into six wedges
16 Cherry Tomatoes, whole

Marinade:
2 Oranges, juiced
4 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 cloves Garlic, minced
2 t. Fresh Thyme, chopped
2 t. Coriander Seeds, crushed
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

Directions:

  1. Combine marinade ingredients in a large zip top bag, add pork pieces and marinate for at least 2 hours in refrigerator.
  2. Remove pork from marinade, reserving liquid.
  3. Alternate pork with onion, pepper, and tomatoes on skewers to make kabobs, leaving a small space between each ingredient for even cooking.
  4. Brush vegetables with reserved marinade.
  5. Broil in oven four to five inches from heat, or on outdoor grill.
  6. Turn to ensure even cooking until pork is thoroughly cooked, about 10 to 15 minutes.
  7. Garnish with orange slices and fresh thyme.

Lamb Souvlaki (Greek Lamb Kabobs)

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This post may contain affiliate links. This means I make a small commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more information.

Serves 8

Ingredients:

2 lbs.  Boneless Leg of Lamb, cut into 1 inch cubes
2 Bell Peppers, cored, seeded and cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
1 Medium Onion, peeled and cut into six wedges

Marinade:
1/4 cup Dry Red Wine
1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 T. Fresh Lemon Juice
1 Small Onion, grated
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 t. Salt
1 t. Dried Oregano
1/4 t. Dried Thyme
1/4 t. Black Pepper

Directions:

  1. Combine marinade ingredients in a large zip top bag, add lamb pieces and marinate for at least 3 hours in refrigerator.
  2. Remove lamb from marinade, reserving liquid.
  3. Alternate lamb with vegetables on skewers to make kabobs, leaving a small space between each ingredient for even cooking.
  4. Brush vegetables with reserved marinade.
  5. Broil in oven four to five inches from heat or on outdoor grill.
  6. Turn to ensure even cooking until lamb is thoroughly cooked, about 10 to 15 minutes.
  7. Serve with Pita Bread and Tzatziki Sauce.