The Foodies Forum

Nannyp · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:14 pm Post subject: Veggie Moussaka

I have no idea where this has come from, but I have made it today, we have veggie friends arriving tomorrow. I'll let you know how it tastes!

Ingredients
50g/2oz green or brown lentils
570ml/1 pint water
4 tbsp oil, preferably olive
1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
110g/¼lb mushrooms, wiped and chopped
30 - 60g/2 - 3 tbsp tomato purée
30g/2tsp dried oregano
1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
salt and freshly ground black pepper
350g/12oz or 2 medium aubergines, washed and sliced
2 potatoes, scrubbed, boiled and sliced
2 tomatoes, washed and sliced thickly

For the sauce:
20g/¾oz butter
1 tbsp flour
225ml/8fl oz milk
1 small egg
2.5g/½ tsp mustard powder
salt and freshly ground black pepper
75g/3oz grated cheddar cheese.

Method
1. preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
2. Pick the lentils over for sticks and stones, wash them thoroughly, then bring them to the boil in the water. Cover and simmer for 40 - 45 minutes or until they are soft.
3. When cooked, drain and reserve the liquid for stock.
4. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a frying pan and fry the onion and garlic gently so that they remain translucent.
5. Then add the chopped mushrooms and cooked lentils and cook for a further few minutes, mixing well.
6. Remove the vegetables from the pan using a slotted spoon so that as much oil as possible is left in the frying pan.
7. Put the vegetables in a bowl and mix in a little stock, 30-45g/2-3 tbsp of tomato pur#233;e and the oregano.
8. Season well with nutmeg, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Then add a further 2 tbsp of oil to the frying pan and fry the aubergine slices until soft, turning them over constantly. (You may need a little extra oil for this.)
9. Put the slices onto a piece of kitchen paper to drain and let them cool.
10. Grease a 1.75L/3pt ovenproof dish and put in a layer of lentil and mushroom mixture, then a layer of aubergines, then of potato and tomato slices.
11. Next make the white sauce. Melt the butter in a small saucepan and stir in the flour. Cook the roux for 2 - 3 minutes.
12. Pour on the milk and bring the sauce to the boil, stirring constantly.
13. Simmer for 5 minutes and then allow to cool.
14. Beat in the egg and season the sauce well with mustard, salt and freshly ground black pepper.
15. Pour the sauce over the top of the casserole and sprinkle over the grated cheese.
16. Bake for 40 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling. Serve piping hot.

I brush the Aubergine with oil and grill
much quicker and uses less oil
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dingsy · Moderator Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 931 Location: Devon

I also try to squeeze as much water from the aubergines as possible, by slicing, salting and leaving them under a weighted plate for an hour or so. Gives a much better texture, and the amout of water which drains out is amazing.

Nannyp · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:01 am Post subject:

This was good too...and yes, I will definitely do as you suggest next time Elaine.

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