To: Marysecretary; stanz
To make this correctly is a bit of a chore, but sooooooooo good, I hope it is what you were looking for.. ENJOY
Mediterranean Garden Moussaka
- 3 1/2 pounds eggplant, unpeeled, cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
- 1/2 cup pure olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup finely chopped peeled carrots
- 1 cup finely chopped celery
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 12 ounces portobello mushrooms, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 28 ounce can crushed, or diced tomatoes with added puree
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
- 1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter
- 7 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 3 1/2 cups whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks
Preheat to 425°F
1) Prepare eggplant, by cover 2 baking sheets with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides of eggplant rounds with salt. Arrange in single layer atop towels. Let stand 30 minutes.
2) Position first rack in bottom third of oven and second rack in top third of oven.. Remove eggplant and paper towels from baking sheets. Pat eggplant dry. Oil same baking sheets. Brush both sides of eggplant rounds with 1/4 cup oil. Arrange in single layer on baking sheets. Bake 10 minutes. Turn eggplant and rotate pans in oven. Continue baking until tender, about 15 minutes longer. Cool.
Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
3) Meanwhile, heat 1/4 cup oil in heavy large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion, carrots and celery. Sauté until onion is very tender, about 12 minutes. Mix in garlic, then mushrooms. Sauté until juices evaporate, about 10 minutes. Mix in oregano and cinnamon. Add tomatoes and parsley. Cook until mixture is thick, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4) Lightly oil 13 x 9 x 2- inch glass baking dish. Arrange half of eggplant rounds in single layer in dish. Spoon half of tomato mixture evenly over eggplant. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cheese. Repeat layering with remaining eggplant, tomato mixture and 2 tablespoons cheese.
5) Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour. Stir 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk. Simmer until sauce thickens, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes. Whisk in 1/2 cup cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk yolks in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in hot sauce. Pour sauce over vegetables in dish. Sprinkle 1/4 cup cheese over sauce. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)
6) Bake moussaka until heated through and sauce is golden brown on top, about 45 minutes (or about 55 minutes for refrigerated moussaka). Cool 15 minutes.
Makes 8 servings.
331 posted on
11/18/2003 3:19:59 PM PST by
carlo3b
(http://www.CookingWithCarlo.com)
To: carlo3b; Marysecretary
Thank you Chef. Look delicious.
Mary, if you come south to NYC, I'll make it for us.
332 posted on
11/18/2003 3:47:42 PM PST by
stanz
(Those who don't believe in evolution should go jump off the flat edge of the Earth.)
To: carlo3b
Don't you ever do "simple"? You know I hate to cook. LOL. Seriously, I've gone on the Atkins with my hubby. His doctor told him to go on it. I think the doctors are coming around. The diet is harder for me because I don't especially like meat. I've always loved carbs. I keep reading and hearing that one never gets hungry on this diet. I beg to differ. I'm so hungry I could eat a wagonload of buttered rolls. A piece of meat does not satisfy my hunger. I was so hungry for something sweet tonight, I got out 4 oz of cream cheese and whipped it with some unsweetened chocolate and coolwhip and added some Splenda. It wasn't great but it helped a little. I'm resolved to stay the course even if I starve to death. I can't let my husband have more will power than I have.
335 posted on
11/18/2003 8:33:45 PM PST by
WVNan
To: carlo3b
Thank you, carlo and stanz, for getting me this. Love, Maryxxx
341 posted on
11/19/2003 6:08:48 AM PST by
Marysecretary
(GOD is still in control!)
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