May 28

Moussaka

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Is there a dish that u have been wanting to make since ever but everyone’s preference overtook yours. For me one such dish is Moussaka

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Moussaka is a Greek bake layered with brinjals, mince cooked in tomatoes, sliced potatoes and a cheese sauce. It’s baked to a golden goodness and served family style.

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Every time I bough mince, and thought I would make a moussaka, everyone else’s preference would be keema matar or spaghetti bolognaise or shepherds pie or shammi kebab. My poor moussaka was pushed in a corner

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Today did not discuss menu options and set about making it. Read up a few recipes and after understanding the concept, made it my way.

The pics speak for themselves. Waiting to tuck in.

 

Ingredients

MINCE SAUCE

500 gms mutton mince

2 big onions

5 skinless tomatoes puréed or chopped

1/2 pkt tomato purée

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

10 minced garlic

Salt

1 tsp Chilli flakes

1 tsp oregano,

1/2 tsp basil

olive oil

CHEESE SAUCE

3 Tbsp butter

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

4 tbsp maida

2 cups milk (appx)

2 egg yolks

pinch of nutmeg powder

salt/pepper

OTHER INGREDIENTS

2 big brinjals

2 boiled potatoes

olive oil

salt

thyme

chilli flakes

2-3 tbsp bread crumbs

 

  1. Slice the brinjal lengthwise into 1/2 inch thickness
  2. sprinkle salt and leave for 15 minutes.
  3. Wipe clean, sprinkle thyme and chilli flakes.
  4. Pan fry with olive oil and remove to a grill stand when tender.
  5. Boil the potatoes, peel and slice thin lengthwise

MINCE SAUCE

  1. Blanch or roast the tomatoes and remove the skin. Blitz in the mixer
  2. In a pan, heat olive oil and add the onions and garlic. Sautée to pink.
  3. Add the mince and brown it well
  4. At intervals add the tomato, pkt purée, Worcestershire sauce, chilli flakes and dried herbs
  5. Let this cook out for close to an hour adding little water as it becomes dry. Once cooked, ensure that the mix is not watery. Keep aside

CHEESE SAUCE

  1. Heat the butter in a pan, add the maida and roast for a few minutes.
  2. Add milk and bring to a boil, and reduce the flame.
  3. Keep stirring to remove all the lumps and add milk till u get a thick smooth consistency. It should be like a smooth potato mash and not watery.
  4. beat 2 egg yolks and heat it on another pan on a low flame, add 1 tbsp of the hot white sauce, mix it well. Add this mix to the sauce and mix well.
  5. Adjust seasoning with salt, nutmeg powder (and pepper if u like).
  6. Add the cheese and mix well.

ASSEMBLY

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 C
  2. sprinkle the breadcrumbs on the base of your baking dish.
  3. Layer half the brinjals on the base covering the pan completely
  4. pour in the mince sauce over the brinjals and spread it out well
  5. Put a layer of the sliced potatoes and season it.
  6. Finally layer with the rest of the brinjal slices.
  7. Pour the cheese sauce and spread to cover the entire dish
  8. Mark the top layer with a fork making a pattern of your choice.
  9. Bake in the oven for 40 minutes or till the top layer is golden brown
  10. Leave it in the oven for another 20 minutes and then serve it.