Healthier Moussaka Recipes

HEALTHIER MOUSSAKA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200°C/ 180°C fan/ gas 6. Heat the 1 tbsp oil in a large frying pan, then add the onion and cook gently for 5 minutes or until soft. Add the garlic and cinnamon and fry for 2-3 minutes.
• Turn the heat up to medium-high, then add the mince to the pan and fry for 3-4 minutes, stirring, until browned. Add the chopped tomatoes, red wine, bay leaf and stock cube. Pour in 100ml water, taste and season the mixture if needed, then bring to a simmer. Cook gently for 30 minutes, adding the lentils for the final 5 minutes. Take off the heat and discard the bay leaf.
• Meanwhile, prick the aubergines all over with a fork, then microwave on high for 4-5 minutes until soft (if you don't have a microwave, bake them in the oven for 25 minutes).
• Slice the aubergines into 0.5cm thick rounds, then set two thirds aside. Heat a large griddle pan until smoking. Brush the remaining third of the aubergine slices with 1 tsp oil, then griddle for 1-2 minutes on each side until charred.
• To make the béchamel, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the flour and stir for 1 minute. Add the bay leaf, then slowly pour in the milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Remove the pan from the heat, then stir through the quark and 25g of the cheddar. Add the nutmeg and season. Discard the bay leaf.
• Stir the parsley and oregano through the mince mix. Cover the base of a 25cm x 18cm ovenproof dish with half the ungriddled aubergine slices. Top with half the mince mix, then add the remaining ungriddled aubergine slices. Spoon over a third of the béchamel, followed by the remaining mince mixture. Add the rest of the béchamel, then arrange the chargrilled aubergine slices on top. Bake for 25 minutes. Scatter over the remaining cheddar and bake for 5 minutes. Let the moussaka rest for 10 minutes, then serve.

HEALTHIER MOUSSAKA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 190C.
• Line a large baking tray with foil and spray it with the olive oil spray. Arrange sliced aubergine in a single layer on the baking tray, spray with cooking spray, grate some salt over, and roast in oven for 10 minutes. Turn the sliced aubergines over and roast for a further 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, Whilst the aubergine is roasting, heat the olive oil in a large pan over a medium heat, then add the onion and sauté for 2 minutes then add the meat and cook until meat is browned, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently and breaking it up as it cooks. Add the garlic and cook 1 more minute.
• Stir in the tomatoes, tomato puree, oregano, cinnamon, cumin and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes until thickened.
• Spray an ovenproof casserole dish with the cooking oil spray.
• Arrange half of the roasted aubergine slices in the bottom of the casserole dish. Spread the meat mixture over the aubergine slices and press down to flatten. Then cover the meat mixture with the remaining aubergine slices.
• Whisk the eggs and yogurt together and pour over the top of the moussaka. Sprinkle the cheese on top. Bake in oven for 15 - 20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.
• Remove from oven and allow the moussaka to slightly cool and set. Cut into 6 portions and serve.

LOW-FAT MOUSSAKA

Steps:

• Cook the peppers gently in a large non-stick pan for about 5 mins - the water from them should stop them sticking. Add the garlic and cook for 1 min more, then add the beef, breaking up with a fork, and cook until brown. Tip in the lentils, half the oregano, the passata and a splash of water. Simmer for 15-20 mins until the lentils are tender, adding more water if you need to.
• Meanwhile, heat the grill to Medium. Arrange the aubergine and tomato slices on a non-stick baking tray and brush with the oil. Sprinkle with the remaining oregano and some seasoning, then grill for 1-2 mins each side until lightly charred - you may need to do this in batches.
• Mix half the Parmesan with the yogurt and some seasoning. Divide the beef mixture between 4 small ovenproof dishes and top with the sliced aubergine and tomato. Spoon over the yogurt topping and sprinkle with the extra oregano, Parmesan and nutmeg. Grill for 3-4 mins until bubbling. Serve with a salad, if you like.

THE ULTIMATE MAKEOVER: MOUSSAKA

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large, wide sauté pan. Tip in the onion and garlic, then fry for 6-8 mins until turning golden. Add the carrots and fry for 2 mins more. Stir the meat into the pan, breaking it up as you stir. Cook and stir over a high heat until the meat is no longer pink. Pour in the wine and briefly cook until most of the liquid has evaporated. Stir in the cinnamon and allspice. Tip in the tomatoes, tomato purée and 1 tbsp water (mixed with any juices left in the can), then stir to break up the tomatoes. Season with some pepper, add all the oregano and half the parsley, cover, then simmer on a low heat for 50 mins, stirring occasionally. Season to taste. Mix in the remaining parsley. Can be done a day ahead and refrigerated overnight.
• While the meat cooks (unless you are doing this a day ahead) prepare the aubergines. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/ gas 6. Brush a little of the remaining oil onto 2 large baking sheets. Mix the rest of the oil with the lemon juice. Slice the aubergines into 1cm thick lengthways slices, then lay them on the oiled baking sheets. Brush with the oil and lemon mix, then season with pepper. Bake for 20-25 mins until soft, then set aside. Lower oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.
• Spread 2 big spoonfuls of the meat mixture on the bottom of an ovenproof dish (about 28 x 20 x 6cm deep). Lay the aubergine slices on top, slightly overlapping. Spoon the rest of the meat mixture on top. Beat the eggs in a bowl. Slacken the cornflour with a little of the yogurt, stir in the rest of the yogurt, then mix this into the eggs with half the cheese. Season with pepper. Pour and spread this over the meat to cover it. Sprinkle with the rest of the cheese, a little cinnamon and a grating of pepper. Bake for 50 mins-1 hr until bubbling and golden.
• Leave moussaka to settle for 8-10 mins, then scatter over some chopped parsley and cut into squares. Serve with a salad of tomato, red onion and rocket.

LOW FAT HEALTHY MOUSSAKA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Heat the oil in a frying pan, fry the eggplant in batches for 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden and softened. Remove and set aside.
• Heat a little oil in a separate saucepan and fry the onion, mushrooms and pepper for 5 minutes, until softened. Remove and set aside.
• Add the ground turkey and cook, stirring continuously, until browned. Return the onion mixture to the pan and stir in the garlic paste, tomato paste, tomatoes and herbs along with the Worcestershire sauce.
• Add seasoning to taste and cook for a further 5 minutes.
• Mix the yogurt, egg and most of the cheese together with some seasoning.
• Spoon half the mince mixture into an ovenproof dish.
• Arrange half the eggplant in a layer over the top. Repeat and spread the yogurt mixture over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until golden. Garnish with basil.