Eggplant Moussaka

Eggplant Moussaka is a rich and hearty Turkish baked dish that layers tender eggplant with a savory meat sauce and a creamy topping, perfect for a keto diet. This low-carb version maintains all the flavors and textures of the traditional recipe while keeping it healthy and satisfying.

Ingredients

• Eggplant - 1 medium (about 300g)
• Ground beef - 200g
• Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Tomato paste - 2 tablespoons
• Canned diced tomatoes - 200g
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Oregano - 1 teaspoon
• Cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
• Egg - 1 large
• Greek yogurt - 100g
• Grated Parmesan cheese - 30g

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Slice the eggplant into 1 cm thick rounds, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 20 minutes to draw out moisture. Rinse and pat dry.
3. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, sauté until translucent.
4. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Stir in tomato paste, canned diced tomatoes, oregano, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
6. In another skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and fry the eggplant slices until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
7. In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, egg, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
8. In a baking dish, layer half of the eggplant slices at the bottom, followed by the meat sauce, and then the remaining eggplant slices on top.
9. Spread the yogurt mixture over the final layer of eggplant and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
11. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 490
• Protein: 35 g
• Carbs: 12 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Cholesterol: 150 mg
• Total Fat: 33 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for a keto diet.
• Rich in antioxidants and fiber from eggplants, promoting digestive health.

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