Name: Greek Moussaka (Mediterranean - Main Course )
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: Eggplant - 2 (2); Olive oil - 6 tbsp (6 tbsp); Onion, chopped - 1 (1); Garlic, minced - 4 cloves (4 cloves); Ground beef or lamb - 1 lb (1 lb); Tomato paste - 2 tbsp (2 tbsp); Red wine - 1/2 cup (1/2 cup); Canned tomatoes, crushed - 14 oz can (14 oz can); Cinnamon - 1 tsp (1 tsp); Nutmeg - 1/2 tsp (1/2 tsp); Salt - 1 tsp (1 tsp); Black pepper, freshly ground - To taste (To taste); Butter - 1/4 cup (1/4 cup); Flour - 1/4 cup (1/4 cup); Milk - 2 cups (2 cups); Eggs - 2 (2); Parmesan cheese, grated - 1/2 cup (1/2 cup)

Menu: Different Food Styles or browse Other Mediterranean Recipes

Greek Moussaka (Mediterranean - Main Course) Recipe

Moussaka is a classic Greek dish made with layers of eggplant, ground meat (often beef or lamb), and a creamy béchamel sauce. The dish is baked until golden and bubbling, creating a rich and flavorful main course. Moussaka is often served with a side salad and crusty bread, offering a satisfying and comforting option that represents the heartiness of Greek cuisine and the Mediterranean region.

Ingredients:

Eggplant - 2
Olive oil - 6 tbsp
Onion, chopped - 1
Garlic, minced - 4 cloves
Ground beef or lamb - 1 lb
Tomato paste - 2 tbsp
Red wine - 1/2 cup
Canned tomatoes, crushed - 14 oz can
Cinnamon - 1 tsp
Nutmeg - 1/2 tsp
Salt - 1 tsp
Black pepper, freshly ground - To taste
Butter - 1/4 cup
Flour - 1/4 cup
Milk - 2 cups
Eggs - 2
Parmesan cheese, grated - 1/2 cup

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Slice eggplant into 1/4-inch rounds and brush with olive oil on both sides. Place on baking sheets and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and lightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic and cook until onions are translucent. Add ground beef or lamb and cook until browned. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Pour in red wine and let it cook until it has reduced by half. Add crushed tomatoes, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and pepper and let the mixture simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until it has thickened.
In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Gradually whisk in milk until the sauce has thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in eggs and Parmesan cheese.
In a 9x13 inch baking dish, layer half of the eggplant slices on the bottom. Pour the meat mixture over the eggplant and spread evenly. Layer the remaining eggplant slices on top. Pour the béchamel sauce over the eggplant and meat, and spread evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

More Mediterranean Recipes

Italian Bresaola e Rucola

Bresaola e rucola is an Italian appetizer made with thinly sliced cured beef (bresaola) and fresh arugula leaves. The combination of the tender and salty beef with the peppery arugula creates a delightful contrast of flavors. Bresaola e rucola represents the quality and simplicity of Italian cured meats, offering a light and elegant appetizer option in the Mediterranean tradition.

Italian Caprese Salad

Caprese Salad is a simple and refreshing Italian salad that showcases the flavors of the Mediterranean. It consists of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves arranged on a plate and drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Caprese Salad offers a combination of juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic basil, creating a light and vibrant main course or side dish that celebrates the Mediterranean ingredients.

Lebanese Shish Tawook

Shish Tawook is a popular Lebanese dish that features marinated chicken skewers grilled to perfection. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and spices, resulting in tender and flavorful meat. Shish Tawook is often served with garlic sauce, rice, or pita bread, creating a satisfying and flavorful main course. It is a beloved dish in Mediterranean cuisine and a favorite for gatherings and barbecues.

Italian Ossobuco

Ossobuco is an Italian dish that features cross-cut veal shanks braised with vegetables, white wine, and broth. The dish is slow-cooked until the meat becomes tender and the flavors meld together. Ossobuco is traditionally served with a gremolata (a mixture of lemon zest, garlic, and parsley) and saffron-infused risotto. It is a flavorful and indulgent main course that represents the richness of Italian cuisine and the Mediterranean.

Lebanese Fatayer bi Lahmeh

Fatayer bi lahmeh are Lebanese meat-filled pastries made with thin pastry dough filled with a mixture of seasoned ground meat (such as lamb or beef), onions, and herbs. The pastries are often shaped into triangles or boats and baked until golden and flaky. Fatayer bi lahmeh represent the savory and aromatic flavors of Lebanese cuisine, offering a delicious and handheld appetizer option in the Mediterranean tradition.

Moroccan Briouat aux Amandes

Briouat aux amandes are Moroccan almond pastries made with thin pastry dough filled with a mixture of ground almonds, sugar, and orange blossom water. The pastries are typically shaped into triangles, fried until crispy, and dusted with powdered sugar. Briouat aux amandes represent the sweet and delicate flavors of Moroccan pastry, offering a delightful and nutty appetizer or dessert option in the Mediterranean region.

Italian Ravioli with Sage Butter

Ravioli is a type of pasta filled with various ingredients such as cheese, meat, or vegetables. It is often served with a simple yet flavorful sage butter sauce. The ravioli are cooked until tender and then tossed in a buttery sauce infused with sage leaves. Ravioli with Sage Butter is a delicious and elegant main course that represents the flavors of Italy and the Mediterranean. It is often garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs.

Greek Revani

Revani is a traditional Greek cake made with semolina flour, yogurt, sugar, and flavored with lemon zest or rosewater. It is soaked in a sweet syrup made from sugar, water, and lemon juice. Revani has a soft and moist texture and is often garnished with almonds or powdered sugar. It offers a delightful combination of flavors and represents the use of semolina and citrus in Greek desserts and the culinary heritage of the Mediterranean region.

Fancy Something Else?

Ichigo Daifuku Ice Cream

A modern twist on the classic Ichigo Daifuku, this dessert combines the elements of the traditional sweet, featuring a whole strawberry and sweet red bean paste, with a scoop of strawberry ice cream. It offers a delightful combination of fruity flavors and creamy textures.

Macarons

Colorful and delicate almond meringue cookies sandwiched together with a creamy filling. Macarons come in a variety of flavors such as pistachio, raspberry, and chocolate, and are a popular French confectionery enjoyed around the world.

Molcajete de Mariscos

A sizzling stone mortar filled with a medley of grilled seafood such as shrimp, fish, octopus, and scallops, cooked in a spicy tomato-based sauce. It's a visually impressive and delicious seafood dish.

Torrone

A traditional Italian nougat typically made of honey, sugar, egg white, and toasted nuts. It can have a hard or soft consistency.

Kao Pad Pu

Kao Pad Pu is a delicious crab fried rice dish. It is made by stir-frying rice with crab meat, eggs, onions, garlic, and soy sauce. The succulent crab meat adds a delicate sweetness to the savory fried rice, making it a flavorful and satisfying main course.

Pastel de Elote

A moist and slightly sweet corn cake made with fresh corn kernels, eggs, milk, sugar, and butter. It has a delicate texture and a hint of corn flavor, often served as a dessert or a sweet accompaniment to a savory meal.

Sepia con Alioli

Sepia con Alioli is a Spanish dish consisting of grilled or pan-fried cuttlefish served with a garlic and olive oil-based sauce called alioli. The cuttlefish is tender and slightly chewy, with a delicate flavor that pairs beautifully with the creamy garlic sauce.

Ants Climbing a Tree

A Sichuan dish made with vermicelli noodles, ground meat, chili bean paste, and other flavorful ingredients. The noodles resemble ants crawling on twigs, hence the name.