Best Moussaka Stack 21 Day Wonder Diet Day Recipes

MOUSSAKA STACK (21 DAY WONDER DIET: DAY 16)

Steps:

• Cook onion, garlic and beef stock in a medium frying pan until onion softens. Add beef, tomato and spices; cook, stirring, until beef is browned. Add extra stock; bring to the boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, about 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, stir in herbs.
• Meanwhile, slice eggplant lengthways into 6 slices; discard the 2 outside pieces. Cook eggplant and capsicum on heated grill plate until browned and tender.
• Combine yogurt, rind, and juice in a small jug.
• Stack beef mixture, eggplant, capsicum and rocket on plates; drizzle with the yogurt mixture.

MOUSSAKA

Steps:

• Bake the eggplant: Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Brush the eggplant slices on both sides with the oil and lay on 2 small or 1 large foil-lined baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with foil and bake until the eggplant is soft, about 25 minutes. Set aside covered.
• Make the meat sauce. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the beef, oregano, allspice, cloves, and cinnamon. Break the meat up into small pieces and season with the 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes. Lower the heat to medium and cook, stirring, until just cooked but still slightly pink inside, about 1 minute more. Add the tomato and bay leaf and bring to a simmer. Cover, and cook until the sauce is thickened and fragrant, about 20 minutes.
• Make the custard sauce. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and add the milk, salt, and nutmeg. Return to the heat and while whisking constantly, bring to a boil. Simmer 2 minutes. Transfer the sauce to a bowl and stir to cool. When the sauce is cool, whisk in the egg and yolks.
• Assemble the moussaka. Lower the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush a 9 x 13 x 2-inch casserole dish with the oil. Scatter the breadcrumbs over the bottom of the pan. Lay half of the eggplant in the pan, overlapping the slices if needed. Cover with half of the meat sauce and smooth with a rubber spatula. Repeat with the remaining eggplant and meat sauce. Pour the custard sauce over the layered mixture and smooth with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle with the Pecorino Romano and bake, uncovered, until lightly browned and the custard is set, about 1 hour.
• Remove the moussaka from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon or spatula to serve.

MOUSSAKA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Put the eggplant in a single layer onto 2 (9 by 17-inch) baking sheets. Brush both sides with 3 tablespoons canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake until browned and softened, 10 to 15 minutes.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the remaining 1 tablespoon canola oil and the onions and cook until they soften, about 3 minutes. Add the beef, breaking into pieces with a wooden spoon. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt and pepper. Stir in the tomatoes and simmer until it is thick and the flavors have combined, 20 to 25 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk, season with salt and pepper, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Bring it to a simmer, and cook until it is thick, about the consistency of pancake batter.
• Put a layer of eggplant into a 9 by 9-inch baking dish. Spread the beef mixture evenly over the top. Put another layer of eggplant on top (reserve the remaining eggplant for Online Round 2 Recipe Eggplant Dip). Pour the bechamel sauce over the top and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake until browned and bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes. Garnish with the parsley before serving.

QUICK MOUSSAKA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Butter a 4-quart ovenproof dish. On a baking sheet, toss eggplant with 6 tablespoons oil and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Spread in a single layer, and roast in the oven until soft and golden, 20 to 30 minutes. Transfer eggplant to prepared dish, spreading in an even layer.
• In a large saucepan, warm remaining tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, and ground meat; cook, stirring to prevent sticking, until meat is browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in drained tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, oregano, cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Simmer, crushing tomatoes with the edge of a spoon, 15 minutes. Spread the mixture evenly over the eggplant.
• Heat broiler. In a small bowl, mix ricotta, feta, egg, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and a pinch of salt. Pour mixture over the casserole, and spread evenly to the edges. Broil until topping is browned in spots, 5 to 10 minutes. Serve hot.