Eggplant And Lentil Moussaka

Name: Eggplant And Lentil Moussaka
Ingredients: 5 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium-sized eggplant, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices; 1 medium-sized onion, chopped; 1 medium-sized zucchini, trimmed and chopped; 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped; 2 cloves garlic, crushed; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 1/2 tablespoon tomato paste; splash of red wine (optional); one 24- to 26-ounce jar or pack strained tomatoes with garlic and herbs; one 14-ounce can green lentils, rinsed and drained; 1 -2 pinches of white sugar; salt and pepper, to taste; 14 ounce potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices; 6 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 4 tablespoon unsalted butter; 1 1/4 cup milk; good grating of nutmeg; 1 cup ricotta cheese; 2/3 cup shredded cheddar

Ghillie James|Oct. 8, 2012 3:56 pm EST

3.2 (9 ratings)

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My stepmother, Wendy, is a fabulous cook who has a knack for producing incredible food — from wherever, using whatever, in what seems like minutes! She made the tastiest moussaka for us on a wonderful holiday for my father’s 60th birthday in Greece a few years ago. This is a veggie version! See all lentil recipes. Click here to see Frozen Food Makes a Comeback.

Servings

4

Ingredients

5 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium-sized eggplant, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1 medium-sized onion, chopped
1 medium-sized zucchini, trimmed and chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tablespoon tomato paste
splash of red wine (optional)
one 24- to 26-ounce jar or pack strained tomatoes with garlic and herbs
one 14-ounce can green lentils, rinsed and drained
1 -2 pinches of white sugar
salt and pepper, to taste
14 ounce potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
6 tablespoon all-purpose flour
4 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 1/4 cup milk
good grating of nutmeg
1 cup ricotta cheese
2/3 cup shredded cheddar

Directions

Line a plate with paper towels. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil and pan-fry the eggplant slices in batches, on both sides, until browned and beginning to soften. Transfer to the plate while you cook the rest. (Add a little more oil if necessary to prevent sticking, but wait until it is very hot before adding the eggplant slices or they will be soggy and oily.) Set aside.
Meanwhile, make the vegetable sauce. In a clean pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil and sauté the onion for 2 minutes. Add the chopped zucchini and bell pepper and gently sauté for about 5 minutes, then add the garlic and cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 2 more minutes.
Stir in the cinnamon and tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute before adding the red wine, if using, and after 1 more minute the strained tomatoes. Simmer for 10 minutes, then stir in the lentils and sugar and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Meanwhile, in a saucepan, bring salted water to a boil over high heat. Boil the potato slices until half cooked, about 3 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly while you make the ricotta sauce.
In a saucepan, combine the flour, butter, and milk and beat over medium heat. When thickened, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and some grated nutmeg and let cool for 5 minutes, then beat in the ricotta.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Pour half of the vegetable sauce into the bottom of a deep round casserole or baking dish with about a 3-quart capacity. Top with the potato slices in 1 layer, then spread over half the ricotta sauce. Layer on half of the eggplant, followed by the remaining vegetable sauce, the rest of the eggplant, and then the last of the ricotta sauce. Top with the shredded Cheddar. Bake until piping hot and bubbling, 45-55 minutes.