 
 Recipe
   
Savor the flavors of the Mediterranean with this classic moussaka recipe. Layers of tender eggplant, seasoned ground beef, and a creamy béchamel sauce come together to create a comforting and satisfying dish that is a staple in Greek cuisine.
| 1 | pound lean ground beef | 
|---|---|
| 6 | medium/big eggplants, peeled and sliced | 
| 1⁄2 | cup olive oil | 
| 1 | medium onion, finely chopped | 
| 1 | cup ripe tomatoes, diced | 
| 1⁄2 | cup crumbled feta cheese (optional) | 
| • | breadcrumbs | 
| 1 | egg | 
| 2 | bay leaves | 
| 1⁄4 | teaspoon allspice | 
| 1⁄4 | teaspoon cinnamon | 
| 1 | pinch of clove powder | 
| • | salt and pepper | 
| 1⁄2 | teaspoon oregano | 
| 1 | liter milk, room temperature | 
| 1 | cup all purpose flour | 
| 1⁄4 | pound butter (or half olive oil, half butter) | 
| 1 | teaspoon salt | 
| 1⁄3 | teaspoon nutmeg | 
| • | pepper | 
| 1. | Preheat the oven to 390°F (200°C). | 
|---|---|
| 2. | Rinse, peel, and slice the eggplants into 1/6-inch (5mm) thick slices. | 
| 3. | Place the eggplant slices on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, drizzle with olive oil, and bake for about 20 minutes until golden brown. | 
| 4. | Sprinkle the baked eggplants with salt and oregano and set aside. | 
| 5. | In a saucepan over medium-high heat, sauté the onion in olive oil for 2 minutes. | 
| 6. | Add the ground beef and cook for about 10 minutes, breaking it apart with a fork. | 
| 7. | Stir in diced tomatoes, bay leaves, salt, pepper, allspice, cinnamon, and clove powder. Cook for 15 minutes. | 
| 8. | Add the feta cheese, stir, and remove from heat when most of the liquid has evaporated. | 
| 9. | Let the meat mixture cool slightly, then mix in breadcrumbs and beaten egg. | 
| 10. | Remove bay leaves from the meat mixture. | 
| 11. | Layer half of the eggplant slices in a 14x10-inch (34x25cm) baking pan, then spread the meat mixture evenly over the eggplants. | 
| 12. | Top with the remaining eggplant slices and set aside. | 
| 13. | In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter (or butter and olive oil) and stir in the flour. | 
| 14. | Gradually add the warm milk, stirring constantly until a thick sauce forms. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. | 
| 15. | Pour the sauce over the eggplant and meat layers in the baking pan. | 
| 16. | Bake for about 45 minutes until golden brown. | 
| 17. | Allow the moussaka to cool slightly before serving. | 
Published on Oct 21, 2024 by Luminița