Eggplant A La Grecque Recipes

MOUSSAKA A LA GRECQUE

Steps:

• Peel the eggplant and slice it crosswise 1/2-inch thick. Sprinkle both sides of each slice lightly with salt, arrange in 1 layer on paper towels and let drain for 30 minutes.
• In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over moderate heat; add as many slices as will fit in 1 layer and brown on both sides. Repeat the procedure with 4 tablespoons of the remaining oil and the remaining eggplant. Drain the eggplant as they are cooked on paper towels.
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the onion to the skillet and cook until the onions are brown. Add the ground meat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is no longer pink. Combine the tomato paste with the wine, parsley, and cinnamon. Add this mixture to the skillet and simmer over low heat, stirring often, until all the liquid has evaporated. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
• In a sauce pan, over low heat, melt the butter, add the flour and whisk for 5 minutes. Turn up the heat to moderate and add the milk in a stream, whisking. Simmer for 5 minutes, add salt and pepper, to taste, and remove from the heat. Cool slightly and stir in the eggs, nutmeg, and ricotta.
• Grease and 11 by 16-inch pan and sprinkle the bottom lightly with bread crumbs. Arrange alternating layers of eggplant and meat sauce in the pan, sprinkling each layer with Parmesan and bread crumbs. Pour the egg sauce over the top and bake one hour in a preheat 350 degree oven, or until top is golden. Let cool twenty minutes before slicing.

AUTHENTIC GREEK MOUSSAKA

Steps:

• Sprinkle eggplant slices with salt and place in a colander set in the sink or over a plate. Let sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour so the salt can draw out any bitterness.
• Meanwhile, make bechamel sauce. Heat milk in a saucepan almost to a boil. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour until a smooth paste forms. Lower heat and gradually pour in hot milk, whisking constantly until bechamel sauce thickens. Season with salt. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
• Rinse eggplant slices under cold running water. Squeeze out liquid and pat dry with paper towels. Whisk egg yolks into the cooled bechamel.
• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet and cook eggplant slices in batches until each side is lightly browned, about 3 minutes per side. Drain on a large plate lined with paper towels.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
• Heat remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. Cook grated onion until soft, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Increase heat to medium-high and add ground beef. Cook and stir until browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Season with allspice, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
• Stir in tomato sauce and bring to a simmer. Cook until all excess liquid has evaporated and mixture appears dry, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in parsley and remove from heat. Allow to cool slightly, then stir in the egg white.
• Arrange a layer of eggplant in the prepared baking dish. Cover eggplant with all of the beef mixture and sprinkle with 1/3 of the Parmesan cheese. Cover with remaining eggplant and sprinkle another 1/3 of Parmesan cheese on top. Pour bechamel sauce over the top and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the top of the moussaka is set and golden, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from oven and let rest at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

MOUSSAKA A LA GRECQUE

Steps:

• 1. In large pan, sauté onion and garlic in oil until onion is soft. Add ground meat and sauté until meat loses its pinkness. Add remaining ingredients and cook sauce for 5 minutes. Cream Topping: 1 lb. ricotta cheese 1/2 lb. cream cheese 3 eggs Beat together ricotta, cream cheese and eggs until blended. Crumb Mixture: 3/4 cup bread crumbs 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Mix bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese To assemble: In a 9 x 13 inch porcelain baker, spread a little sauce. Layer 1/2 of the eggplant slices, 1/2 of the sauce and 1/3 of the crumb mixture. Repeat with remaining eggplant, sauce and 1/3 of the crumb mixture. Spread Cream Topping on top and remaining crumbs over all. Bake at 350 until piping hot and crumbs are lightly browned, about 35 minutes. Serves 8 Note: Entire dish can be prepared 1 day earlier and stored in refrigerator. Heat before serving. The main difference between the Greek and Turkish versions of Moussaka is the cream layer on top. Baking the eggplant, instead of frying it saves thousands of calories. Source: Renny Darling

EGGPLANT A LA GRECQUE

Steps:

• Peel eggplant and cut in 1/2 inch cubes.
• In heavy skillet, heat oil and butter and saute eggplant until lightly browned. Remove.
• Saute onion and garlic until soft.
• Return eggplant and add can of tomatoes, drained.
• Add parsley, lemon juice and the spices.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
• Sprinkle with feta cheese
• Serve over rice or wide egg noodles.