Moussaka is traditional Greek food at its best. It’s a bit like a shepherds pie and gives that warm, “I’m home” feeling. The potatoes are optional and you may need to visit the gym or take a few fat burners but it will be well worth it.
What you need
1 kg potatoes
1 kg eggplants slices into 1cm thick strips
500g beef mince
1 small onion chopped
1 tin tomatoes chopped and peeled
125ml red wine
125ml water
250ml olive oil
2 palms of chopped parsley
Salt, pepper and nutmeg
1 tablespoon sugar
Topping
1 liter milk
1 cup flour
125ml melted butter
2 eggs separated
Strong cheese
The process
Peel and par boil the potatoes and allow to cool, then slice thinly.
Place the eggplant slices in a colander or on paper towel and salt liberally with rocksalt and leave for about 40 minutes, then remove as much salt as you can and set aside.
It may seem like a lot of oil but add it to a pan and fry the onions until they turn brown. Add the mince meat and cook for about 10 minutes.
Add the wine, water, the tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper to taste and finally the parsley and allow to simmer until the water has disappeared. Remove from the heat and set aside.
In a separate pot add 750ml milk and bring to the boil, reduce heat to a simmer, mix the flour and the rest of the milk together and stir into the hot milk and stir constantly until thick and creamy, add the melted butter and give it a final stir.
Remove from the heat and add the egg yolks, lightly beaten egg whites and a pinch of nutmeg.
Prepare a baking dish by lightly buttering it, place the potatoes in the bottom, cover with the mince, then a layer of eggplant and then the topping. Grate over a good amount of cheese. Place in a 180 Celsius oven until the topping turns brown.
That’s it, Traditional Moussaka and here is a perfect dessert, Malva pudding.
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Hi Graham
I thought Moussaka HAS TO HAVE auburgines in it? Without it, like you say, it will be just like shepherd’s pie … Regards. V
Hi Veneto, you are quite right… left it out but have now amended the recipe, thanks for pointing it out. Have a lekker weekend G
Hi there,
I am muslim and cannot use wine. What would you suggest is a good subtitute.
Thanks.
Hi Hanna, verjuice is the best substitute for wine, here is some info about it and there is a stockist list on the site
http://www.verjuice.co.za/ Cheers G
Thanks, will definitely give it a try.
Have a great weekend Hanna, delicoius days.. G
Thanks! I decided to guess, and glad i guessed it right. This recipe is delicious! First time we’ve eaten Moussaka and it was a hit with the family – the washing up was not appreciated though…!ha ha
Thats great news and glad you enjoyed.. remeber to negotiate the washing up duties before you cook next time
Cheers G
Help Graham!!!
Busy cooking this and not sure what to do with the 125ml butter under the topping section?
Hi Liz, sorry I wasn’t available while you were busy, the melted butter goes in shortly before you remove the thickened milk mixture from the stove. I have updated the recipe. Cheers for now. G