Eggplant and Mince Bake
(1)
3 hours 40 minutes
My version of the classic Greek dish 'Moussaka'. Serve with crusty bread and a Greek or mixed salad. Tip: You can make without pre-frying the eggplant, just layer the raw slices and add 10 minutes to final cooking time.
CharlieB
10 people made this
Ingredients
Serves: 6
- 1kg good lean steak mince
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 beef stock cube
- 200ml jar bolognese sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 large glass red wine
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried mixed herbs
- 2 eggplants, thinly sliced about 1/2 cm
- 1 dash olive oil
- 425ml milk
- 60g butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 170g cheddar, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
- 3 eggs
Directions
Preparation:10min ›
Cook:1hour40min ›
Extra time:1hour50min ›
Ready in:3hours40min
- In a large saucepan gently fry the onion in the oil with the crushed garlic for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the mince to the saucepan, breaking up the meat and stirring the mixture for a further 5 minutes or until the meat is brown all over.
- Add the herbs, stock cube, Bolognese sauce, tomato paste, tomato sauce, wine, salt, pepper, cinnamon and sugar. Stir well then cover and simmer gently for approximately 40 minutes; stirring occasionally.
- Sprinkle the eggplant slices with olive oil (both sides) then place in a hot frypan for a couple of minutes each side. You don't want them cooked through. Set aside.
- In a large square or oblong oven dish, place 1/3 of the eggplant slices, followed by 1/3 of the meat mixture. Continue this pattern finishing with the meat. Set aside, cover and preferably refrigerate overnight.
- White Sauce; melt butter in a saucepan add flour and stir continuously for a minute or two. Add milk a little at a time stirring continuesly to avoid lumps. Remove from heat when liquid starts to simmer and has thickened slightly. Add grated cheese and spice, stirring until cheese is blended, set aside.
- When the cheese sauce has cooled, in a separate bowl whisk eggs until combined and add to the cheese sauce.
- Pour the sauce over the meat mixture before baking in a 180 degrees C oven for 50 minutes or until the top is golden.
