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Moussaka is a famous dish consisting mainly of ground meat and aubergines (eggplant).
You'll Need:
2 large aubergines (egg plants), thinly sliced 3 tbsp olive oil 1 and half pound (675g) lean minced beef 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves crushed 2 large fresh tomatoes chopped Half cup dry white wine 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsly 3 tbsp fresh breadcrumbs 2 egg whites salt and pepper
The topping is made separately and requires: 3 tbsp butter One third cup flour One and 2 thirds cups milk Half teaspoon nutmeg One and a quarter cups grated One and a quarter cups grated Parmesan, (you can also use hard sheep's or goat's cheese.)
Slice the eggplants then layer them in a bowl. Spray each layer with water and salt. Let them stand like this fo about 20 minutes then rinse them with water. Pat them dry with paper towels. This is done to eliminate or reduce the bitterness that eggplants have.
Preheat oven to 190C/375F. Spread out the eggplants in a roasting tin, brush with olive oil, then bake for 10 minutes, until just softened. Remove and set aside to cool.
While the eggplants are roasting... Heat the remaining oil in a large saucepan and brown the minced beef, stirring frequently, until crumbly.
Add the onions and garlic.
Cook for about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and stir in the wine. The rest of the wine can be consumed as you are cooking.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, leave to cool for about 10 minutes, then stir in the parsley, breadcrumbs and egg whites.
Now lightly grease a large ovenproof dish, then spread the egg plant on the base.
Spread over the meat sauce, then top with the remaining eggplant.
Cats In The Craddle Member # 12627
posted
The following describes creating the topmost layer which is a cream called Bechamel. To make the topping, put the butter, flour and milk in a saucepan. Bring to the boil over a low heat, whisking until the mixture thickens to form a smooth creamy sauce.
Remove from the heat, season and stir in the nutmeg and about half the cheese.
Allow the topping sauce to cool for 5 minutes, then beat in the egg yolks and the whole egg.
The finale... Pour the sauce over the top layer of eggplant...
...and then sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
Bake the moussaka for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden bown. Allow it to stand for awhile before serving. It can be cut and served in rectangular squares.
Enjoy!
sheba76 Member # 12165
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MMMMMMMMM That looks really good.
I make somthing like this. But its Persian. Called Baathm juune. It is delicious.
Mrs C Member # 10808
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oh moussaka.... i lived on it when i lived in cyprus... oh... that and dolmades. oh.. and fresh taramasalata...
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