Name: Moussaka
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil; 1 large brown onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, chopped; 1 kilogram lamb mince; 1/2 cup tomato paste; 2 410g cans crushed tomatoes; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves; 1 kilogram eggplant, sliced lengthwise; olive oil cooking spray; 1 1/3 cup grated pizza cheese; 5 sheets filo pastry, halved crosswise; greek salad, to serve

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil

1 large brown onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 kilogram lamb mince

1/2 cup tomato paste

2 410g cans crushed tomatoes

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

1 kilogram eggplant, sliced lengthwise

olive oil cooking spray

1 1/3 cup grated pizza cheese

5 sheets filo pastry, halved crosswise

greek salad, to serve

Method

1.In a large saucepan, heat oil over moderately high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until softened.

2.Add mince; cook, stirring with a wooden spoon to break up lumps, for 5 minutes or until browned. Add tomato paste. crushed tomatoes, cinnamon and oregano. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat, simmer, stirring occasionally, for 25-80 minutes or until sauce thickens.

3.Meanwhile, heat a large frying pan over moderate heat. Spray eggplant with oil. Cook eggplant, in batches, for 2-8 minutes each side or until browned and tender. Transfer to a heatproof plate.

4.Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Lightly grease an 8L (12-cup) ovenproof dish. Layer a third of the eggplant over base of prepared dish. Top with half the mince mixture. Add half the remaining eggplant, then remaining mince mixture. Top with remaining eggplant. Sprinkle with cheese.

5.Scrunch 1 piece of filo and place over cheese in dish. Continue with remaining pieces of filo until top of moussaka is covered. Bake 30 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Stand 10 minutes before serving with salad.

You will need about 2 large eggplant. To cook eggplant under an oven-grill, spray with oil and cook under a preheated grill, turning, until browned and softened. Set aside to cool. Repeat with remaining slices.
Note

Woman's Weekly Food

From classic Kiwi favourites, quick weeknight dinners and elevated meals for special occasions, our recipes are local and delicious and thoroughly tested so you know you can trust them to work. Discover tips and tricks to enhance your cooking skills, learn about seasonal ingredients, and stay up-to-date with the latest food trends. We're more than just recipes; we're your trusted kitchen companion.

Ingredients

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