Moussaka is one of the most famous savory delicacies of the Balkans, eggplant is its characteristic ingredient. Learn how to make this delicious Mousaka dish with a traditional recipe

1. Traditional recipe, Mouzaka
Athens ● Greece ● Mediterranean
 EGGPLANT
 LOVE FOOD
 RECIPE
 TRADITION
 TSELEMEDES
Moussaka Recipe
Moussaka is one of the most famous savory delicacies of the Balkans,
eggplant is its characteristic ingredient. Its Greek version has its origins
in Nicolas Tselementes cook book, the Greek culinary bible, published in
the 1920s. Here is the traditional recipe.

2. Ingredients
 3 big potatoes
 3 big eggplants
 3 ripen tomatoes
 3 egg yolks
 500 gr. ground beef
 750 ml milk
 100 gr all purpose flour
 100 gr. Kefalotiri (yellow cheese)
 100 gr. Butter
 1 onion
 2 cloves of garlic
 paprika
 nutmeg
 oregano
 sunflower oil for frying
 olive oil
 Salt
 pepper
 oregano
Directions

3. 1. Cut the potatoes and the eggplants in thin slices, season them with salt and
pepper and then fry them in hot sunflower oil. Let them drain from the oil, on
paper towels.
2. Saute in hot sauce pan with olive oil, the thinly chopped onion and garlic, add
the ground beef, salt, pepper and stir until it has browned.
3. Grind the tomatoes and add them in the beef, add paprika, oregano, salt,
pepper. Boil until the sauce is thick with no extra liquids and the meat is
cooked. Add some water when needed.
4. In a wide casserole melt the butter and add the flour, stir until a white roux is
formed.
5. Add the milk and stir with an eggbeater until the roux has completely dissolved
in the milk.
6. Boil until the sauce is thick.
7. Take away from the stove and add the grinded cheese, the egg yokes, the
nutmeg and stir again with the eggbeater until you have a smooth mixture.
8. In a nonstick tray add a layer of potatoes, a layer of eggplant, half of the beef
sauce, another layer of eggplant, the rest of the beef sauce and the béchamel
on top of it. Also spread some cheese over the surface.
9. Preheat the oven at 180 Celsius and bake it for about 30' or until the surface
has browned.
10. Let is cool a bit and serve it.
A good way to make it lighter and more healthy is to boil the potatoes
and roast the eggplants instead of frying them. You can also use light
milk instead of full fat.