Ingredients
Lamb:
- 1/4 cup dried currants
- 1/4 cup Greek extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, stemmed, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1 serrano chile, finely diced
- 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 (28-ounce can) plum tomatoes, pureed until smooth with their juices
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley, plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
- Honey, if needed
Eggplant:
- 1 1/2 cups canola oil
- 1 1/2 pounds eggplant, cut crosswise into 14-thick slices
Bechamel Sauce:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup soft goat cheese
- 1 cup grated Romano
- 1 lemon, zested
Directions
For the lamb: Soak the currants in warm water for 30 minutes. Drain.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a 6-quart saucepan over high heat. Add the lamb, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cayenne, and salt and pepper and cook, stirring to break up the meat, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer the lamb to a large strainer set over a bowl and drain; discard any liquid left in the pan. Return the pan to the heat and add the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and heat until it begins to shimmer. Add the onions and bell pepper and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the serrano and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
Return the lamb to the pan, add the wine, and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost completely evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato puree and currants and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until thickened, about 30 minutes. Stir in the parsley and oregano and season with salt and pepper and honey, if needed. Remove from the heat.
For the eggplant: Heat the canola oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Season the eggplant slices on both sides with salt and pepper. Working in batches, add the eggplant slices and fry until tender and lightly golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer the eggplant slices to paper towels.
For the bechamel: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until pale and smooth, 2 minutes. Still whisking constantly, add the milk and bay leaf and cook until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg and discard the bay leaf. Let the sauce cool for 5 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, goat cheese, and lemon zest and whisk into the bechamel sauce until smooth.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 3-quart baking dish or casserole dish.
To assemble: Put half the eggplant slices in the dish and cover with half the meat sauce. Top the sauce with the remaining eggplant slices, and then the remaining meat sauce. Pour the bechamel over the top of the meat sauce and spread evenly with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle Romano evenly over the top, place the dish on a baking sheet, and bake until browned and bubbly, 45 to 50 minutes. Top with more chopped parsley, if desired. Let cool for at least 20 minutes before serving.
Photo: Moussaka Recipe

















Review This Recipe
You must be logged in to review this recipe.
or Sign Up to Review
Newest Ratings and Reviews
Read all 21 reviews
By jlynnscott
on April 24, 2013
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
I served this as a surprise birthday dinner and it is a showstopper. I followed the recipe with superb results and included the following adjustments: forgot to add the currants (didn't miss them, increased spice to 1.5 times per the other reviews; baked the eggplant for 35 min (used olive oil spray front/back omitted the chili pepper per suggestions here. I served it with a greek salad. I keep hearing about it from people who weren't even at the dinner! The lemon zest in the bechamel sets it off and lightens the dish. A lot of work but worth it. From start to serving for me was closer to 3.5 hours.
By niktien
on March 16, 2013
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
Definitely a keeper! I baked the eggplant at 350F for 30 mins instead of frying them and it worked great! Loved the lemon zest in the bechamel sauce! Such a great touch! We served it with a side of arugula which provided a nice counterpoint to the richness of this dish.
By Lowa
on February 26, 2013
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
Very Good. Next time I will double the spice to give it the flavor I was seeking. My family loved it. Worth the effort.
Read all 21 reviews