James Martin Recipe For Moussaka Recipes

QUICK MOUSSAKA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas5.
• Slice the aubergines then fry them on both sides in a large pan with a little olive oil. Drain on kitchen paper. To save on washing up, use the same pan with a little more olive oil and fry off the onions and garlic.
• After five minutes turn the heat up and add the lamb to brown it, then add the tomatoes. Add a good pinch of cumin and cinnamon with the wine and sauté together to break up the tomatoes. Add the chopped mint and the stock in stages.
• In an ovenproof dish, layer the aubergines and lamb mince in a few layers, finishing with a layer of aubergines.
• Combine the white sauce with the eggs, nutmeg and seasoning. Spoon over the top of the mince and then scatter with the grated cheese.
• Bake in the oven 20-25minutes to colour the cheese and cook through.
• Serve.

MOUSSAKA WITH SAUTéED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5.
• Cut the aubergines in half, and carefully scoop out the flesh, leaving the skins to one side. Cut the aubergine flesh into small cubes.
• Heat a frying pan over a medium heat until hot, then add the olive oil and aubergines and fry for 2-3 minutes.
• Add the onion and garlic and fry for a further 2-3 minutes, until the onions have softened and the aubergines are starting to turn golden-brown.
• Add the lamb mince and cook for 4-5 minutes, until browned.
• Add the tomatoes, cumin, cinnamon, dried oregano and red wine and cook for 2-3 minutes, breaking up the tomatoes with a spoon as you cook.
• Add the mint and the stock. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Spoon the aubergine mixture into the reserved aubergine skins and place onto a roasting tray.
• Place the butter into a pan over a medium heat. When the butter has melted, add the flour and cook, stirring well, for one minute. Add the hot milk and cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes, until the mixture has thickened.
• Add the eggs, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and add the nutmeg.
• Add half of the grated cheddar and mozzarella and continue to cook, stirring, until combined as a smooth sauce.
• Spoon equal amounts of the cheese sauce over the top of each of the stuffed aubergines, then sprinkle with the remaining grated cheddar and mozzarella.
• Transfer the stuffed aubergines to the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese topping is golden-brown and bubbling.
• Meanwhile, for the sautéed potatoes, heat a frying pan over a medium heat until hot. Add the olive oil and potatoes and fry, turning occasionally, for 7-8 minutes, or until golden-brown all over and tender.
• Season the potatoes with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then add the flatleaf parsley and stir well.
• To serve, place a stuffed aubergine onto each plate and place a spoonful of sautéed potatoes alongside.

MOUSSAKA

Steps:

• Lay the slices of eggplant on paper towels, sprinkle lightly with salt, and set aside for 30 minutes to draw out the moisture. Then in a skillet over high heat, heat the olive oil. Quickly fry the eggplant until browned. Set aside on paper towels to drain.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add the ground beef, salt and pepper to taste, onions, and garlic. After the beef is browned, sprinkle in the cinnamon, nutmeg, fines herbs and parsley. Pour in the tomato sauce and wine, and mix well. Simmer for 20 minutes. Allow to cool, and then stir in beaten egg.
• To make the bechamel sauce, begin by scalding the milk in a saucepan. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Lower heat; gradually pour in the hot milk, whisking constantly until it thickens. Season with salt, and white pepper.
• Arrange a layer of eggplant in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover eggplant with all of the meat mixture, and then sprinkle 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese over the meat. Cover with remaining eggplant, and sprinkle another 1/2 cup of cheese on top. Pour the bechamel sauce over the top, and sprinkle with the nutmeg. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
• Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

EASY MOUSSAKA

Steps:

• Boil the potatoes whole for 20 mins or just until tender. Drain and allow to cool.
• Return the pan to the heat and add 2 tbsp olive oil and the onion. Cook until softened, then add the lamb. Fry the mince for 5 mins or until cooked through and starting to char. Add the garlic and spice, and stir in the passata. Bring to a simmer, then season to taste, take off the heat and set aside until needed.
• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Warm a griddle pan over a high heat and brush a little oil over the aubergines. Grill for 2-3 mins each side or until char lines appear. You may have to do this in 3-4 batches.
• Once cool enough to handle, cut the boiled potatoes into thick slices. Put 1 tbsp oil in the base of a deep ovenproof dish and start with a layer of potatoes, then aubergines, a sprinkling of seasoning, then a layer of the lamb mixture. Repeat until all the mixture is used up, ending with a layer of aubergines. Spread the crème fraîche over the top and scatter with the cheese. Put in the oven for 10 mins or until the cheese is golden.

MOUSSAKA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prick eggplants several times with a fork. Rub a little olive oil into their skins. On a large baking sheet, roast eggplants until soft, about 30 minutes, turning frequently. Remove from oven and let cool. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick round slices.
• In a saute pan, heat 4 tablespoons olive oil over high heat and brown eggplant slices lightly on each side. Do this in batches, adding more oil as necessary. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt. Set aside.
• In a saucepan heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 chopped onion and 2 chopped garlic cloves, and saute until tender. Add tomatoes and their puree, squeezing them into coarse chunks. Add parsley, oregano, cinnamon and vinegar. Stir well. Simmer, uncovered, for 25 minutes. Reserve.
• In a large saute pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add remaining onions and garlic. Saute for 5 minutes. Add lamb, in stages if necessary, and brown well, breaking up pieces with a wooden spoon. Add wine and bring to a boil. Cook until wine has nearly evaporated. 5. Season lamb with salt, black pepper and 2 pinches of nutmeg. Stir in 1 cup of reserved tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour.
• In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat, and gradually whisk in flour. Cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly. Do not let this brown. Add hot milk and whisk rapidly to combine. Bring to a slow boil, whisking constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring frequently, until smooth and thickened. Season with salt, white pepper and remaining 2 pinches nutmeg. Let cool slightly.
• In a mixing bowl, beat eggs and whisk in a spoonful of bechamel. Whisk in remaining bechamel in a thin stream, and adjust seasoning.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Assemble moussaka: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of bread crumbs across the bottom of a large baking dish (18-by-8-by-3 inches) and cover crumbs evenly with half the eggplant slices. Drain as much oil from lamb mixture as possible, and spread the meat over the eggplant layer. Top meat with half the cheese, then with half the remaining bread crumbs. Place remaining eggplant slices on top of the bread crumbs, then add the bechamel, remaining cheese and remaining bread crumbs in even layers. Dot with remaining butter.
• Bake for 45 minutes, until well browned. Remove from oven and let cool slightly, about 15 minutes. Cut into 3-inch squares to serve. Serve with the extra tomato sauce.