Moussaka

Serves: 2

Jewel Boehm

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

53

Spice

46

Sweetness

47

Sourness

37

mins

Prep time (avg)

5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

6 tbsps

Unsalted Butter

1 medium

Onion (chopped)

3 cloves

Garlic (minced)

450 g

Ground Lamb

2 tbsps

Tomato Paste

Directions:

1

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees

2

Trim the eggplants and cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick slices

3

Arrange on 2 large foil-lined baking sheets; brush generously with 1/2 cup olive oil and season with salt and pepper

4

Bake until soft, about 30 minutes

5

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat; add the chard and season with salt and pepper

6

Cook, stirring, until wilted, about 4 minutes

7

Transfer to a colander and let cool; squeeze out excess moisture and set aside

8

Wipe the pot dry; add the butter and melt over medium-high heat

9

Add the onion; cook until golden, about 4 minutes

10

Add the garlic and cook 1 more minute

11

Add the lamb, breaking it up into pieces, with the oregano, cinnamon, nutmeg, 2 teaspoons salt and pepper to taste; cook until the meat is slightly browned, about 2 minutes

12

Add the wine and cook, stirring, until the meat is cooked but still slightly pink, 1 more minute

13

Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves; bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes

14

Meanwhile, lightly oil a 9-by-11-inch casserole dish and sprinkle with the breadcrumbs

15

Place the potato slices in the dish; pat dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper

16

As the sauce continues to cook, make the cheese custard: Melt the butter over medium heat

17

Whisk in the flour, cooking slightly to form a soft paste

18

Off the heat, whisk in the milk, nutmeg and 2 teaspoons salt

19

Return to the heat and bring to a boil, whisking

20

Remove from the heat again; stir in 1 cup cheese, cool slightly, then whisk in the eggs and egg yolks

21

Reduce the oven to 350 degrees

22

Layer half of the eggplant on top of the potatoes

23

Cover with half of the meat sauce, then half of the chard

24

Repeat with the remaining eggplant, meat sauce and chard

25

Pour the custard sauce on top, then sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup kefalotiri cheese

26

Bake the moussaka, uncovered, until the custard is set and lightly browned, about 1 hour

27

Let rest 20 minutes before serving

28

Photograph by Tina Rupp