Moussaka - (Mousakas)

NOTES A traditional Greek Recipe by Alexandra Tsakiridou.
“MOUSSAKA” is the shepherd’s pie of Greece. The succulent combination of fried aubergines, delicately spiced minced lamb and rich cheese sauce is irresistible and well worth the rather lengthy preparation. It is always popular at informal parties and can be prepared earlier in the day for final cooking and browning in the oven.
Greek : Μουσακάς
Step by step demonstration of recipe included HERE.
Serves / Yields : 6 people
Season:Spring,Summer

INGREDIENTS

• 700 gr. (1 ½ lb.) shoulder of lamb(boneless weight)
• 700 gr. (1 ½ lb.) aubergines
• 175 gr. (6 oz.) onions
• 225 gr. (½ lb.) tomatoes
• 150 ml. (? pt.) olive oil
• 5 ml. (1 teaspoon) ground allspice
• 15 ml. (1 tablespoon) chopped parsley
• 425 ml. (? pt.) bechamel sauce
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
  Coating
  
• 1 large egg
• large pinch grated nutmeg
• 75 gr. (3 oz.) Cheddar cheese

METHOD
Wipe, top and tail, but do not peel the aubergines. Cut them into slices about 6 mm. (? in.) thick. Put into a colander with a light sprinkling of salt between the layers and leave to drain for half an hour. Peel and slice the onions; peel, de-seed and chop the tomatoes. When ready to cook, pat the aubergine slices dry with paper. Heat 45 ml. (3 tbsp.) oil in a frying pan over a low heat and, when hot, fry the aubergine slices gently until tender, in batches, turning once. Lift out and drain on absorbent paper. Add extra oil between batches as necessary. When all are fried, make the oil in the pan up to 30 ml. again. When this is hot, fry the onions gently for about 5 minutes, until soft and pale gold. Add the meat and fry. Add the tomatoes, allspice, parsley and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well, cover and cook very gently for 25 to 20 minutes. Heat oven to 180-C. (350 F.), gas mark 4. In a deep, ovenproof dish, arrange alternate layers of aubergines and meat, finishing with aubergines. Warm the sauce over a low heat. Separate the egg and, off the heat, stir the yolk, nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste, into the sauce. Reserve the egg white for use in another dish. Pour the sauce evenly over the surface of the dish. Grate the cheese over the sauce. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes until the topping is golden and bubbling.

The popularity of “Moussaka” has deservedly spread. It is a delicious combination of meat, vegetables and a thick, rich sauce. It’s the most traditional Greek dish and also absolutely delicious!

Source:
http://pieria.spark.net.gr/etimes/moussaka.htm