Moussaka Vegetarian

Moussaka Vegetarian is a hearty and flavorful Greek dish that layers tender eggplant, spiced lentils, and creamy béchamel sauce. This comforting meal offers a delightful vegetarian twist on a classic favorite.

Ingredients

• Eggplant - 1 medium, sliced into 1 cm rounds
• Zucchini - 1 medium, sliced into 1 cm rounds
• Potato - 1 medium, peeled and sliced into 1 cm rounds
• Olive oil - 4 tablespoons
• Onion - 1 medium, finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Carrot - 1 medium, grated
• Lentils - 150 grams, cooked
• Tomato paste - 2 tablespoons
• Canned diced tomatoes - 200 grams
• Cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon
• Oregano - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste
• Nutmeg - a pinch
• Milk - 300 ml
• Butter - 30 grams
• All-purpose flour - 30 grams
• Parmesan cheese - 50 grams, grated

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Sprinkle the sliced eggplant with salt and let it sit for 20 minutes to draw out moisture. Rinse and pat dry.
3. In a pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sautéing until translucent.
4. Add the grated carrot, cooked lentils, tomato paste, canned tomatoes, cinnamon, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes until heated through.
5. In a separate pan, heat the remaining olive oil and fry the sliced potatoes until slightly golden. Remove and set aside.
6. In the same pan, fry the sliced zucchini and eggplant until lightly browned. Set aside.
7. For the béchamel sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk, cooking until thickened. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
8. In a baking dish, layer half of the potato slices, followed by half of the lentil mixture, half of the eggplant, and half of the zucchini. Repeat the layers.
9. Pour the béchamel sauce over the top and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Let it cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 18 g
• Carbs: 60 g
• Fiber: 12 g
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Cholesterol: 30 mg
• Total Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Water: 0.3 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in fiber which aids digestion.
• Packed with vitamins and minerals from vegetables and legumes.

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