Vegetarian Moussaka

Meatless version of the classic Greek dish. Layered with sliced potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms and of course aubergine baked in simple tomato sauce. Topped it of with bechamel, grated cheese and oregano.

Vegetarian Moussaka

Ingredients 

1 large aubergine, slice thinly

1 medium zucchini, unpeeled and slice

1 medium potato, peeled, slice thinly

100 g mushroom, slice

 Tomato Sauce (see recipe below)

Bechamel Sauce (see recipe below)

Salt and pepper

Oregano

Grated cheese

Preheat oven at 200 °C

Slice the aubergine into round and layer in a colander with salt for 30 minutes, rince and pat dry. 

Layer the aubergine in a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.  Brush the aubergine with olive oil. Roast the aubergine for 10 minutes. Keep aside.

Prepare the rest of the vegetables and set aside. 

Prepare the tomato sauce and bechamel saucem set aside.

Assembling the moussaka

Reduce the oven heat to 170°C. Lightly oil baking dish. 

Arrange aubergine rounds in a single layer in dish. Spoon some of the tomato sauce evenly over the aubergine, sprinkle with grated cheese. Repeat layering with other vegetables, tomato sauce and cheese.

Cover the layers with bechamel sauce and the cheese. Sprinkle with oregano.

Bake the moussaka about 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Let it stand for 10 minutes before serving.

 

For the Tomato Sauce (prepare ahead)

2 canned chopped tomato, undrained

1 medium onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 tsp oregano

Salt and pepper to taste 

1/2 tsp sugar

Olive oil

In a large saucepan, saute garlic and onion in olive oil until onion is tender. 

Add remaining ingredients to the pan, stir and reduce heat and simmer. Stir occasionally. 

Keep aside.

Bechamel Sauce

2 tbsp butter

3 tbsp all purpose flour

1 cup milk 

Salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, add flour, stir until bubbling. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly until mixture is smooth. Stir as the sauce thicken, add salt and pepper. Stir constantly for few more minutes. Keep aside