Vegetarian Moussaka
Why I Love This Recipe
So many delicious layers of flavour in this dish. Often referred to as a "Greek Lasagne", this dish is layered with roasted potatoes & eggplant and a thin, creamy layer of Bechamel.
Ingredients You'll Need
2 Eggplants, sliced ½ inch thick
8 Mini Red Potatoes, sliced
EVOO
Sea Salt / Black Pepper
½ Tsp. Dried Oregano
¼ C EVOO
Yellow Onion, diced
3 cloves Garlic, chopped
340g YVES Italian Ground Round
796ml can Diced Tomatoes
1 Tbsp. Tomato Paste
½ Tbsp. Red Wine Vinegar
½ Tsp. Ground Nutmeg
½ Tsp. Dried Oregano
½ Tsp. Dried Parsley
½ Tsp. Fresh Thyme
¼ C Fresh Parsley, roughly chopped
1 C Baby Spinach, roughly chopped
Sea Salt / Black Pepper
2 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter
2 Tbsp. AP Flour
1 C 2% Milk +
½ Tsp. White Pepper
½ Tsp. Ground Nutmeg
Pinch Sea Salt
½ C Parmesan, grated
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 F
Lay the sliced eggplant in one layer on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with EVOO / Baking spray. Drizzle with EVOO and season with sea salt and black pepper.
Same goes for the potatoes, drizzle and season with sea salt and pepper as well as add a ½ tsp. dried Oregano.
Eggplant should bake between 20 – 25 and potatoes 25 – 30 Min. You want both to be nice and brown, flip at least once. Set aside to cool.
**Maximize time by preparing sauces while vegetables roast!!
Reduce heat in oven to 375 F
In a large frying pan, bring to temperature on medium and pour in the oil. Add the onions, garlic, and a pinch of sea salt. Fry 4 – 5 minutes stirring often.
Add the veggie ground and break it up to a crumbly texture. Mix together with the onion and garlic and continue frying on medium 3 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste followed by the diced tomatoes, nutmeg, red wine vinegar, oregano, thyme, and sea salt / black pepper. Bring to a boil on medium and reduce to medium low. Cover and simmer 15 Minutes.
Stir in the fresh parsley and spinach, reduce heat to low, and leave covered.
In a small sauce pot, melt the butter on medium and whisk in the flour. Continuously stir the mixture so nothing burns. After 2 minutes of stirring, slowly whisk in the milk to break up any potential clumps. Bring to a boil stirring often. Season and reduce heat to low for 5 minutes.
Spray a 2 ½ qt. baking dish with EVOO spray and begin lining the dish with the cooled, roasted eggplant. Follow with a layer of the roasted potatoes and a layer of the hearty sauce. Sprinkle with parmesan and complete another eggplant, potato, sauce & parmesan layer.
**Seal the remainder of sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate / freeze for future use!
Drizzle the Béchamel sauce through the middle of the dish from end to end. Use a spoon or spatula to gently press the Béchamel away from the middle towards the edges. Sprinkle with the remainder of the parmesan and bake uncovered 25 – 30 Minutes.
Cool 5 minutes before slicing in to it and serving.
