Photo: Moussaka Recipe
Ingredients
For the casserole:
- 3 large eggplants (about 4 pounds)
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the pan
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 large bunch Swiss chard, stems trimmed and leaves chopped
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground lamb or beef
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
- 1 medium all-purpose potato, peeled and thinly sliced
For the cheese custard:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 5 ups whole milk, at room temperature
- Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
- Kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cups grated kefalotiri cheese or
- 1/2 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano mixed with 1 cup crumbled feta
- 2 large eggs plus 3 egg yolks
Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Trim the eggplants and cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange on 2 large foil-lined baking sheets; brush generously with 1/2 cup olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake until soft, about 30 minutes.
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. Cook, stirring, until wilted, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a colander and let cool; squeeze out excess moisture and set aside.
Wipe the pot dry; add the butter and melt over medium-high heat. Add the onion; cook until golden, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 more minute. 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. Add the wine and cook, stirring, until the meat is cooked but still slightly pink, 1 more minute. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves; bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, lightly oil a 9-by-11-inch casserole dish and sprinkle with the breadcrumbs. Place the potato slices in the dish; pat dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
As the sauce continues to cook, make the cheese custard: Melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, cooking slightly to form a soft paste. Off the heat, whisk in the milk, nutmeg and 2 teaspoons salt. Return to the heat and bring to a boil, whisking. Remove from the heat again; stir in 1 cup cheese, cool slightly, then whisk in the eggs and egg yolks.
Reduce the oven to 350 degrees. Layer half of the eggplant on top of the potatoes. Cover with half of the meat sauce, then half of the chard. Repeat with the remaining eggplant, meat sauce and chard. Pour the custard sauce on top, then sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup kefalotiri cheese. Bake the moussaka, uncovered, until the custard is set and lightly browned, about 1 hour. Let rest 20 minutes before serving.
Photograph by Tina Rupp
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By buda_fool_10074921
Buda, TX
on February 08, 2013
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I have made this recipe twice. It is absolutely delicious. I have another very good recipe for moussaka. This has the addition of Swiss chard which excellent. It may seem to have many steps but the effort is well worth it.
By cachinnator_114...
Chico, CA
on December 06, 2012
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Dreamy, gourmet comfort food! The only things I did differently were using 6 fresh roma tomatoes instead of canned tomatoes, and doubling the parmesan. I thought the cinnamon was slightly overpowering, so next time I'll use half the suggested amount.
This moussaka recipe is well worth the time and effort!
By tata12
on February 20, 2012
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I thought this dish was absolutely delicious. Just be sure to understand that it will take all of 3.2 hours to make it. It took my husband and me 4 hours to make this dish from start to finish...We had a person from Greece over and he said it was truly one of the best moussaka dishes he's ever had! I recommend this recipe to anyone who is ready to impress and who has the time!
Read all 16 reviews