Moussaka

Moussaka is a hearty Lebanese dish that layers tender eggplant with spiced ground turkey and a creamy, high-protein yogurt topping. This dish is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, making it a perfect lunch option.

Ingredients

• Eggplant - 1 medium (about 250g)
• Ground turkey - 250g
• Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Tomato paste - 2 tablespoons
• Cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon
• Allspice - 1/4 teaspoon
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Greek yogurt - 150g
• Egg - 1 large
• Fresh parsley - 1 tablespoon, chopped

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Slice the eggplant into 1 cm thick rounds and sprinkle with salt. Let it sit for 15 minutes to draw out moisture.
3. Rinse the eggplant slices under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
4. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Cook the eggplant slices for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
5. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
6. Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
7. Stir in the tomato paste, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until well combined.
8. In a bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, egg, and chopped parsley until smooth.
9. In a baking dish, layer half of the eggplant slices at the bottom. Spread the turkey mixture over the eggplant, and then layer the remaining eggplant on top.
10. Pour the yogurt mixture over the final layer of eggplant, smoothing it out with a spatula.
11. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
12. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 40 g
• Carbs: 20 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 120 mg
• Total Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• High in protein, aiding in muscle repair and growth.
• Rich in dietary fiber, promoting digestive health.

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