moussaka

[Deleted User]

Hi

I've done a quick search but couldn't find anything, so my apologies if I'm asking for info that's already available elsewhere on the forum.

I had an aubergine in my veg box and decided I'd like to make Moussaka, having never done so before, but all the recipes I've found online seem rather complicated and have LOADS of ingredients.

Can anybody point me in the direction of a simple (but tasty) method for this dish?

TIA
x

ifonlyitwaseasier

darn, my recipes at home, however.....

basically i cut the aubergine into thinnish slices and lightly grill it.
cook up a load of mince, i tend to make it tomatoey, adding tinned toms, tom puree, chopped mushrooms, onions, peppers, beef oxo cubes and if i'm going really "exotic" a little cinnamon.
i also boil some potatoes and slice them once they've cooled
for my sauce i use quark and some natural yogurt mixed well together (quark is a really low fat soft cheese thing, not a star trek: DS9 character)

i layer mince, potato, sauce, aubergine, mince, potato, sauce, aubergine, sauce, grated cheese

and then cook on about 170c for about 45-60 mins

i have added chopped herbs into the sauce for a little variety, chives work nicely,

hth

not totally authentic but tastes blimming lovely

Penelope_Penguin

There's an older thread here - moussaka.

Unfortunately, it does have several ingredients, but is really worth making.

Just found Delia's cheat's moussaka recipe, but I'd not recommend it

Penny. x

thanksalot

ifonlyitwaseasier wrote: »

darn, my recipes at home, however.....

basically i cut the aubergine into thinnish slices and lightly grill it.
cook up a load of mince, i tend to make it tomatoey, adding tinned toms, tom puree, chopped mushrooms, onions, peppers, beef oxo cubes and if i'm going really "exotic" a little cinnamon.
i also boil some potatoes and slice them once they've cooled
for my sauce i use quark and some natural yogurt mixed well together (quark is a really low fat soft cheese thing, not a star trek: DS9 character)

i layer mince, potato, sauce, aubergine, mince, potato, sauce, aubergine, sauce, grated cheese

and then cook on about 170c for about 45-60 mins

i have added chopped herbs into the sauce for a little variety, chives work nicely,

hth

not totally authentic but tastes blimming lovely

Not far from my own version.
I microwave the sliced aubergine; it needs to be well cooked for a nice dish and I find it can dry out grilled (and absorbs tons of oil if fried).
I make a normal white sauce like I would for a lasagna.
In fact, the meat part is very much like I would prepare a bolognese.

maltesers_2

For traditional moussaka I use lamb (left overs usually) if not cooked you will need to cook it first use about 450gm for 4 people.

1 finely chopped onion, 4 chopped cloves garlic, 1 can chopped tomatoes, herbs as available eg 1 tbsp chopped parsley, thyme or rosemary, bay leaf.
Fry onionsuntil golden, add meat, garlic herbs and tomatoes season and cook until not much liquid left. Put into shallow ovenproof dish.

Recipes usually say slice and fry aubergine but it uses far too much oil. It is better to drizzle oil on slices and cook in oven until brown. place in a layer over meat mix.

Make some white sauce using 1/2 pt milk and pour over.

Sprinkle about 100g grated cheese over top.

Bake in in oven 200/g6 for 20 - 30 mins.

Even better if made earlier even day before and reheated, can also be frozen

myrnahaz

Is there anything that would reduce the taste of oregano? I had a load of cheap minced lamb and decided to make a huge moussaka. Unfortunately, I just invented the recipe (something I often do with alarmingly bad results) and threw in far too much dried oregano. The result is almost inedible - it tastes ok apart from a strong tobacco taste (oddly enough) that makes my throat burn like I've eaten chilli.

Is there something I could add to tone it down a bit? I thought about cream or grated cheese, but I don't want to throw good ingredients after bad in case nothing works and I have to throw it all away regardless. Any ideas?

ivfmummy

Could you make a tomato sauce to go with it, maybe that would help.

H xx

belfastgirl23

I make veggie mousaka with mashed red kidney beans - I'm just wondering if you added this to the mix would it tone it down a bit? I'd try it on a little bit first though just in case it makes it worse

Pink.

Hi myrnahaz,

You might find something to help on these threads:

help... bolognaise is too spicy!!

Too Hot Chilli

Too Hot Curry

Pink

myrnahaz

Thanks everyone. My mess involves too much oregano which is more bitter than chilli-hot, but I'm going to use all your suggestions and throw in a few potatoes, a tin of tomatoes and half a tin of kidney beans - not too costly to lose if I end up having to throw it all down the loo.