Ελληνικός Μουσακάς

1h 15m
Serves 6
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Directions

  1. 1Preheat the oven to 200°C/390°F (fan).
  2. 2Thinly slice two potatoes and one onion. Put them in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt, pepper, and thyme, and mix well.
  3. 3Spread the potatoes and onions in a thin layer on the bottom of a greased baking pan.
  4. 4Bake the potatoes and onions for 20 minutes until slightly softened and lightly golden.
  5. 5Thinly slice an aubergine/eggplant and add it to a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
  6. 6Spread the eggplant slices over the potato and onion layer in the pan.
  7. 7Bake the eggplant for 20 more minutes.
  8. 8Slice two courgettes/zucchinis and add to a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt, pepper and thyme.
  9. 9Spread the courgette/zucchini slices over the eggplant in the pan and bake for another 20 minutes.
  10. 10In a pan, add olive oil, minced onion, and caramelize over high heat.
  11. 11Mince a clove of garlic and add it to the pan.
  12. 12Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of ground cloves. Mix and sauté.
  13. 13Add one tablespoon of tomato paste and the ground meat. Use a wooden spoon to break it into small pieces, season with salt and pepper.
  14. 14Add a jar of chopped tomatoes and sauté for 5-10 minutes, or until most of the liquid evaporates.
  15. 15In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, add 100g of butter. Once melted, add 100g of flour and whisk.
  16. 16Slowly add 750 ml of milk in batches, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
  17. 17When the sauce starts to bubble, remove it from the heat, add freshly ground pepper and ground nutmeg, and whisk.
  18. 18Add 100g of grated parmesan and whisk.
  19. 19Add three egg yolks and whisk until smooth and creamy.
  20. 20Add one third of the béchamel sauce to the ground meat and mix.
  21. 21Spread the meat mixture over the vegetables in the baking pan. Spread the rest of the béchamel sauce on top and sprinkle with grated parmesan.
  22. 22Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
  23. 23Let cool for at least one hour before cutting and serving.

Ingredients

  • 2 potatoes
  • 1 onion
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch pepper
  • 1 pinch thyme
  • 1 aubergine/eggplant
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch pepper
  • 1 pinch thyme
  • 2 courgette/zucchini
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch pepper
  • 1 pinch thyme
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 minced onion
  • 0.5 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 pinch ground cloves
  • 500 g ground meat (beef)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 jar chopped tomatoes
  • 100 g butter
  • 100 g all-purpose flour
  • 750 ml milk
  • 1 pinch freshly ground pepper
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • 100 g grated parmesan
  • 3 egg yolks

Equipment

ovenbaking panbowlknifewooden spoonwhisksaucepan

Tips

  • Always add the milk slowly and in batches
  • Whisk constantly during the whole process
  • Make the filling quite dry so that the dish will hold together when serving and eating
  • Allow the moussaka to cool for at least one hour before cutting