Updated post.
Papa G is back again with his Greek recipes.
Moussaka is the most well known Greek dishes around. Being vegan it’s not for me but I like to share what all of the family eat here.
Let me know if you try it!
Ingredients:
For the Meat Sauce:
2 large aubergines
350g potatoes
350g courgettes
180ml sunflower oil for frying
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed (optional)
450g minced lamb or beef (or a mixture of both)
400g tin of tomatoes, finely chopped or 4 large, ripe tomatoes, skinned and diced
125ml dry, red wine (optional)
1 tablespoon tomato puree
1 bunch flat leaf parsley, leaves finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon of sugar
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
salt and finely ground black pepper
For the Bechamel Sauce:
75g unsalted butter
75g plain flour
600 ml warm milk
1/4 teaspoon of grated parmesan or cheddar/ kefalotyri (hard Greek cheese available in some Continental stores) or graviera
1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
2 egg yolks
Topping:
40g grated parmesan/ cheddar or kafalotyri
30g freshly made breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
Method:
Preheat oven to 180°C, gas mark 4.
Trim the aubergine and cut lengthways into 1/2 cm slices with the skin on. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of salt and set aside in a colander for 1 hour to sweat and to extract the bitterness. Rinse under cold water, drain and pat dry with absorption paper.
Peel the potatoes and cut lengthways into 1/2 cm slices. Trim and wash courgettes and cut lengthways into 1/2 slices. Reserve two tablespoons of oil; heat the rest in a large heavy-based frying pan and fry the courgettes, potatoes and aubergines over a medium heat, until golden brown on both sides. Add just enough slices to make a single layer in the frying pan when frying and drain on absorbent paper to get rid of excessive oil.
Meanwhile, soften the onions and garlic (if using latter), in the reserved oil in a heavy based saucepan, over a medium heat until soft (about 5-6 minutes).
Raise the heat, add the meat and saute until it changes colour, breaking up any lumps with a wooden spoon and stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add the remaining ingredients for the meat, leaving half of the dried oregano, cover and cook gently for 30 minutes or until all of the liquid has evaporated.
Season to taste with salt, pepper, allspice and cinammon. Cover and set aside.
Now melt the butter gently in a heavy saucepan, add the flour gradually and stir with a wooden spoon until smooth and well incorporated.
Cook, stirring over a low heat for 1 to 2 minutes until the roux turns pale, golden brown. Remove from the heat and whisk in the warm milk gradually, 125 ml at a time until smooth after each addition.
Add the salt, return to the heat and keep beating for about 5-6 minutes until the roux has a thick consistency. Remove from the heat, add the cheese and nutmeg, then the egg yolk slowly, stirring continiously all the time.
Line a medium sized baking dish approximately 26x26x10 cm deep with the potatoes first then the aubergines and finally the courgettes, seasoning them and sprinkling oregano as you go.
Spread the meat evenly on top, cover with more layers of aubergines and courgettes and finish with a layer of potatoes trying not to leave any gaps on the top layer.
Cover with the bechamel. Sprinkle over the cheese and breadcrumbs. Grate nutmeg on top of the bechamel. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the dish to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
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Papa G place is average at best. The pizza is pretty good, but not great. It’s better than DiGiorno or Little Caesars but not as good as Round Table or Blind Onion. I would order it again because again, it is decent and close to my work.
This looks too good! Great memories of fabulous holidays in Matala, Crete, eating a square of this for lunch, with tomato and cucumber salad looking out over the sea – bliss!
Thanks to your Dad for sharing x
Just perfection huh x
Gorgeous as always. Glad to hear your little one is on the mend.
@Angela thanks very much, he’s totally better now!
I love Moussaka but never think to make it myself, so I’ve pinned the recipe for a future date 🙂
@Sophie oh you will love this!
I love Moussaka and this looks magnificent. Can i come round and pick up a large tray from your dad? Not a good post to read while hungry…
Lucy Parissi recently posted…Strawberry frozen yoghurt with grilled pineapple
@Lucy ha anytime!
Man alive! moussaka is one of my favourite things ever… totally drooling.
Steph (@imcountingufoz) recently posted…Love Your Leftovers – Red Pepper Pork Pasta
@Steph ooh thanks love, yummy isn’t it x
What a gorgrous dish and superb photography, I could dive in right now:-)
This looks soooo good!! I really must try this recipe 🙂 hope everyone feels better soon, have a good week x all linked up x
Kirsty – Hijacked by Twins recently posted…Cheap Budget Meal – No Junk Chilli Enchiladas
Oh fab, you must try it! Thanks for linking up x
Honest Mum recently posted…Cool Style by me&i and Win a Child’s Outfit Worth £39
I have never made a moussaka, it looks lovely
Alison recently posted…Banoffee Ice Cream Cake
Thanks Alison x
Oh I love a good moussaka and I’d love to try your dad’s one at his restaurant. My sister lives near Leeds so maybe next time I’m over at her place I’ll suggest we go to the Olive Tree
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo recently posted…Silent Sunday – 4 May 2014
Oh please do Phoebe, they have 3 in Leeds x
This does look amazing yum!
I love Moussaka! I only wish I could eat cheese right now sob sob sob…I hate this milk allergy Thomas has! Your food always makes my mouth water!!
What a delicious sounding recipe! I love moussaka 🙂
Elizabeth recently posted…Honeycat Cookies
mmmm that looks so good and i have never made a moussaka before so i must change that x
jenny paulin recently posted…Blackberry Eton Mess Cake
@Jenny ooh you must try it x
Another stunning picture and meal, one of my all time favourites… though for me suspect it will remain an eat out meal, used to enjoy moussaka lots when at college…. and now sadly miles from anywhere that comes close to matching this….
@Sarahhillwheeler ooh bet you would make it lovely at home Sarah!
Glad your little one is better. My girls have had coughs and colds this week too. I blame the weather, it can’t seem to make its mind up!!
Mummy Tries recently posted…Gaps Intro: Day Four
@Mummy Tries thanks lovely, roll on the summer huh! Hope your girls feel better soon too x
This Moussaka looks delicious! What is kafalotyri? x Mel
Hey lovely, says in the ingredients, it’s a hard cheese but you can use cheddar xx
honestmum recently posted…Cool Style by me&i and Win a Child’s Outfit Worth £39
I hope your little ones better now. I love moussaka but have never tried making it so going to bookmark this recipe 🙂 x
Thanks Michelle let me know if you try it x
honestmum recently posted…Cool Style by me&i and Win a Child’s Outfit Worth £39
Sorry to hear your son is unwell – Hope he is now on the mend. I have a hot little girl too. Moussaka is sadly not for me – not a fan of cheese. Doesn’t half get in the way of eating loads of meals! x
Helen at Casa Costello recently posted…Walnut & Coffee Battenburg – Bake of the Week
@Helen oh no, no worries, perhaps you can try it without. I adore cheese. Hope your daughter feels better soon, son a lot better now thanks after being poorly for days x
Yum this looks amazing! i never actually knew what Moussaka was…it definatly looks like something we would it,ill definatly be giving this a go! Thanks x
becky recently posted…In the Garden…Child Led Play.
@Becky oh fab, you must try it x
honestmum recently posted…Papa G’s Magnificient Moussaka
Love Moussaka & this one looks fantastic!! I’ll be trying your recipe next time I make it! 🙂
@Steph thanks very much, enjoy!
Hmmm I’m not a huge fan of aubergines but this looks like it could be nice, with the added potatoes and courgettes (Your html code comes up as an image by the way) xx
Cheryl @ Madhouse Family Reviews recently posted…Madhouse recipe : Sweet & Spicy Curried Mince
@Cheryl thanks for that, will change now and do try it!
Wow that really does look and sound magnificent. I will have to try this one. I have never made moussaka but I love eating it. lol Thanks for hosting lovely.
Jenny recently posted…My Garden: Phase Two
Thanks Jenny, sure you will love it! Let me know if you try it!
Yummy looking moussaka, I would love to try this recipe out.
Julie’s Family Kitchen recently posted…Chilli Prawn Casarecce Pasta
@Julie’s Family Kitchen thanks lovely, let me know if you do x
honestmum recently posted…Papa G’s Magnificient Moussaka
I love moussaka – it’s one of my staples but I might just have to give this recipe a go. Looks delish! x
Sophie Lovett recently posted…A different path
So sorry to hear you are so poorly, thanks for the invitations to link up though, and what a wonderful recipe!
Emily Beale recently posted…Pink Scooter & Disco Party Part 1
@Emily thanks lovely, it’s my son (just updated the post) thanks so much for linking up x
I made this on Sunday after seeing theperfectbadmummy posting about it and realising it’s been ages since I made moussaka.
I had a bit of a fail with timings because I stupidly didn’t read the recipe through before starting, I just go stuck in!
But, it was delicious. It looked amazing, smelled fantastic and was delicious. I’ve never added courgette or potato before but they were a very welcome addition.
I’ll definitely be saving the recipe and making it again. Thank you Papa G and Honestmum!
@hookyspelooky Papa G is so touched you made his moussaka and it turned out so well. Well done lady!
I will so be trying this, I’ve been looking for a good recipe! I will keep you posted at the weekend, I think Saturday might be Greek night!
@theperfectbadmummy OOH I like the sound of Greek night. Hope you get to smash some plates!!
@Mari thanks for your lovely words, really enjoyed being a part of it
@Babesabouttown Thanks lovely, I ate it for my dinner last night. In fact I eat it most nights at the moment! Like mine with a bit of tabasco on the top!
Nothing but yum. As always!
Hello! What a fabulous recipe and perfect for Foodie Friday as so many people can make this one! Delicious, thank you for joining in.
Oh, I’m def going to try this but will use quorn or soya mince. I never get the topping right on a Moussaka. Aubergines are my fave vegetable. Any good aubergine recipes?
I am sooo making this, drooool! Will let u know how I get on 😉 x
Fab! My Dad will be so chuffed. It is utterly delicious! Enjoy x
I’m so pleased Carrie’ann-let me know how you get on.
Wow, i’m printing this bad boy off and taking it with me to the supermarket pronto!!