Egg plants and Lamb mince combo,with the juiciness of vegetables a bit spicy but very overwhelming Moussaka.
What is a Moussaka:
What is a Moussaka? so fellows Moussaka is a traditional Turkish dish a plater with lots of happiness.The most famous form of moussaka now days is the creamy moussaka with bachemel sauce it is also introduced by a very famous Greek chef but it is called as the fusion to the real version of Moussaka ,it also gives you heavenly flavours but i am making the traditional Turkish version. Traditionally Turkish people make moussaka with egg plants layer top up with the spicy cooked mince and pouring a tomato and chilli based sauce over it ,and at the end it goes in to the oven and gives you a mouthwatering dish.
Why we called it a casserole? so casserole is basically called as a dish made by baking it in a oven in one large dish by layering things like vegetables , meat with any spices or sauces and also with some starch.Lasagne is also a type of a casserole and moussaka is also consider in this type.
Things we need:
- 500g ground lamb mince
- 4 to 5 egg plants
- 3 to 4 tomatoes
- 2 onions
- 4 to 5 green chillies mild
- 5 garlic cloves
- salt as required
- 1 tablespoon chilli flakes
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- oil for frying
- paprika , salt and pepper for sprinkle
- 400 g of cheese
- tomato paste 2 tablespoon
- chilli paste 2 tablespoon
- water 2 cups
- basil leaves for garnish
How to make it :
Egg plant preparation:
So first take your cutting board ,wash 4 to 5 egg plants put them on the board and cut into thick slices.Now place them separately on a tray sprinkle a generous amount of salt pepper and paprika on them from both sides , take a pan add in your oil about 2 tablespoon wait until hot.pan cook all the slices on medium flame until done on both sides and take them out.
Vegetable cutting:
Chop 2 onions,take large size green chillies about 3 to 4 and chop.Mince 5 cloves of garlic , chop 3 to 4 medium sized tomatoes without skin and slice some for the garnish. Grate your cheese about 400 grams cheese it is not traditionally used but i am adding to make the top more golden and crunchy.
Cooking the meat:
I am using 500 grams of minced lamb meat. take the pan add your onions cook until translucent, now add garlic and chopped green chillies in it cook for 2 minutes and add you chopped tomatoes in it. at this stage add in your incredible mince and cook it until it changes colours. Now add 1 tablespoon of black pepper, salt according to taste ,and 1 tablespoon of red chilli flakes and cook until the veggies become soft and the mince looked completely cooked. and set aside.
Sauce :
I am making a liquid consistency sauce to pour on the moussaka before going in the oven.Take a saucepan add in 3 tablespoon of tomato paste , and 3 tablespoon of red chilli paste cook for a minute and add 2 cups of water in it with salt. Cook the sauce until it become a bit thick
Assembling:
Take a baking dish place all the cooked eggplants in it in the bottom ,now cover it properly with the mince ,the mince should be properly dry evaporated all liquids now pour your tomato sauce on it, sprinkle the shredded cheese any type you want i am using mozzarella add garnish according to your choice like i am using sliced tomatoes and after baking i will add basil leaves that,s it.
In the oven:
Take your dish and broil it on at 200 C for 15 to 20 minutes until sauce incorporated well and the top is crispy and done.And that,s it enjoy your dish of joy and enjoy every bite of traditions.I am sure you will enjoy making it as well as the divine flavours it will give to your palette.
Nutrition:
- Calories: 450–550 kcal
- Protein: 20–25 g
- Fat: 30–35 g
- Carbohydrates: 20–25 g
- Sugars: 8–10 g
- Fiber: 4–6 g
- Sodium: 600–800 mg
- Calcium: 150–200 mg
- Iron: ~2.5–3.5 mg
- Vitamin A: Moderate (from tomato, chili, and cheese)
- Vitamin C: Moderate to high (from tomatoes and green chili)
- Potassium: ~500–700 mg (mostly from eggplant and tomatoes)
servings:
I made about 7 to 8 servings in this recipe for my family.You can adjust it according to your quantity.