Preparation Time : 30 minutes
Cooking Time : 45 minutes
Serving: 8 members
Description
Moussaka . This dish is a traditional Greek dish that I got to know through a cook book I got initially when I started to cook . I have tried it just once though and after that didn’t attempt . Not that I didn’t like it , some how it just faded away . Well now it’s a staple at home . I always make the non veg version with a combination of egg plant and potatoes together . This time I came across a veggie version and was in cloud nine as my hubby’s veggie avatar was putting me in a fix to entertain him through his tummy . It tasted equally good as the non – veg version and a super addition to any dinner table . This dish brings together different flavours and textures in one hearty mix . In fact using soya chunks works well like lamb . This dish can be prepared a day ahead and baked when ever required . I did try my best to swap this high calorie fatty culprit dish to a healthy one and to break the myth of anything healthy is boring .
Ingredients
Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Big violet Egg plants | 4 sliced into 1/2 inch thick rounds |
| Maida | to coat |
| Oil | 4 tablespoons |
| Soya granules | 500 grams , ( soak in warm water for 10 minutes , drain and use ) |
| Onions | 4 chopped |
| Garlic cloves | 4 minced |
| Cinnamon | 2 teaspoon ground |
| All spice powder | 1/2 teaspoon , ( I used garam masala powder instead ) |
| Crushed tomatoes | 4 cups |
| Tomato paste | 4 tablespoons |
| Sugar | 2 teaspoons |
| Chilli flakes | to taste |
| Salt + pepper | to taste |
| Oregano | to taste |
| Coriander leaves | 1/2 cup chopped |
| Bread crumbs | 100 grams |
| Parmesan cheese | 2 cups grated , ( I avoided the cheese completely ) |
Ingredients for the white sauce
Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Butter | 1 cup ( I used oil instead ) |
| Maida | 1 cup |
| Warm Milk | 8 cups |
| Nutmeg powder | a pinch |
Method for egg plant
- Sprinkle salt over the sliced egg plants . Set aside for 1/2 an hour .
- Rinse the egg plant slices and pat dry .
- Dust them in maida and shallow fry till soft but not brown . Set aside .
Method for filling
- Heat oil in a non stick pan . Sauté the soya granules till brown .
- Add onions , garlic and fry for 5 minutes .
- Top with cinnamon powder , all spice powder , crushed tomatoes , tomato paste , sugar , salt , pepper and chilli flakes .
- Simmer for 15 minutes until liquid evaporates and gets to a dry and chunky tomato sauce .
- Garnish with oregano and coriander leaves and set aside .
Method for the white sauce
- Melt butter in a non stick heavy bottomed pan . Sprinkle maida , using a whisk gently stir the flour until it starts to bubble .
- Keep stirring , making sure no lumps are formed .
- Pour warm milk over little at a time incorporating to get a thick creamy white sauce with no lumps .
- Simmer to thicken until when a back of a spoon coated with sauce can run a clean line with your finger , its ready .
- Add nutmeg powder . Mix well , remove from heat and set aside .
To proceed
- Preheat an oven to 180 degree celsius . Grease a baking dish . Sprinkle the bottom with bread crumbs .
- Top with a single layer of fried egg plants . Add soya mixture on top of the egg plant layer . Sprinkle with grated cheese . Pour a layer of white sauce .
- Do the same until all the egg plants , soya mixture and white sauce is over making sure the final top layer is white sauce sprinkled with cheese and bread crumbs .
- Bake for 30 minutes until you get a melted golden crust .Allow to cool for 10 minutes . Slice and enjoy …non – veg version can be done by replacing soya granules with lamb , beef or chicken mince , following the same recipe .Can add 2 -4 beaten eggs to the cooled white sauce and use as the recipe demands .
- This helps the layers to stay separate and adds taste along with calories .
- Can use any vegetable of your choice instead of egg plants like potatoes and zukkenis .
