Moussaka (Dairy-Free)

This dairy-free Moussaka is a flavorful twist on the classic Greek dish, featuring layers of eggplant, spiced lentils, and a creamy cashew sauce. It’s a hearty, comforting meal perfect for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

• Eggplant - 1 medium (about 250g)
• Olive oil - 3 tablespoons
• Onion - 1 medium, diced (about 150g)
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Carrot - 1 medium, diced (about 100g)
• Red bell pepper - 1 medium, diced (about 150g)
• Lentils - 150g (uncooked)
• Tomato paste - 2 tablespoons
• Canned diced tomatoes - 400g
• Cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon
• Oregano - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste
• Cashews - 60g (soaked for at least 2 hours)
• Nutritional yeast - 2 tablespoons
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
• Water - 100ml

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Slice the eggplant into 1 cm thick rounds, sprinkle with salt, and let them sit for about 20 minutes to draw out moisture.
3. Rinse and pat the eggplant dry, then brush both sides with olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes until tender and slightly golden.
4. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, garlic, carrot, and red bell pepper. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
5. Add the lentils, tomato paste, canned tomatoes, cinnamon, oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine, then cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked through.
6. While the lentils are cooking, prepare the cashew sauce. Drain the soaked cashews and blend them with nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and water until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
7. In a baking dish, layer half of the roasted eggplant slices at the bottom, followed by the lentil mixture, then the remaining eggplant. Pour the cashew sauce over the top, spreading it evenly.
8. Bake in the oven for another 15-20 minutes until the top is slightly golden and set.
9. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 15 g
• Carbs: 60 g
• Fiber: 15 g
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Water: 0.1 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in fiber, supporting digestive health.
• Packed with plant-based protein from lentils and cashews.

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