Moussaka (Lamb And Eggplant Casserole)

Recipe Ingredients

4		Eggplants - washed (7 to 8)
1 tablespoon	15ml	Salt
2 tablespoons	30ml	Olive oil
2 lbs	908g / 32oz	Lean ground lamb
		Vegetable oil
2/3 cup	41g / 1.4oz	Finely chopped onion
8 oz	227g	Sliced mushrooms - drained
1 teaspoon	5ml	Salt
1 teaspoon	5ml	Dried rosemary leaves
1/2 teaspoon	2.5ml	Dried thyme leaves
1		Garlic - peeled
		Crushed
2/3 cup	157ml	Beef stock or broth
1 1/2 teaspoons	7.5ml	Cornstarch
3 tablespoons	45ml	Tomato paste - (save remainder for
3		Eggs - slightly beaten
		Tomato sauce for moussaka - (recipe)

Recipe Instructions

1. Remove green caps from eggplants and slice eggplants in half lengthwise. Make deep slashes in eggplant pulp, but do not cut through skins. Sprinkle eggplant halves with the 1 tablespoon salt and allow to stand at room temperature 1/2 hour.

2. Squeeze moisture out of eggplant halves and brush cut surfaces with the 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Heat 4 eggplant halves at a time in Microwave Oven 7 minutes or until pulp is tender. Repeat with remaining eggplant halves.

3. Scoop pulp out of eggplant, being careful not to rip skins. Set skins aside. Chop eggplant pulp coarsely. Place pulp in a medium-sized, heat-resistant, non-metallic bowl and heat, un- covered, in Microwave Oven 4 minutes or until tender. Stir occasionally.

4. In a large heat-resistant, non-metallic bowl, crumble the lamb. Heat, uncovered, in Microwave Oven 5 minutes stirring frequently to break up pieces until meat is no longer pink.

5. Liberally oil a deep, 2-quart, heat-resistant, non-metallic casserole. Line casserole with the reserved eggplant skins. Arrange skins with the purple sides toward the outside and wide ends of eggplant skins at the top of the casserole.

6. Drain the lamb juices and discard. Add chopped eggplant, onion, mushrooms, the 1 teaspoon salt, thyme, rosemary and garlic to the cooked lamb. Stir to combine well. Heat, uncovered, in Microwave Oven 5 minutes or until onion is tender.

7. In a small heat-resistant, non-metallic bowl combine beef stock and cornstarch until smooth. Heat, uncovered, in Microwave Oven 1 minute or until thickened and clear; stir occasionally.

8. Add thickened beef stock with remaining ingredients, except tomato sauce, to lamb mixture. Pour lamb-eggplant mixture into eggplant-skin-lined casserole.

9. Fold eggplant skins over filling. Heat, covered with a plate, 9 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center of the mixture comes out clean.

10. Invert onto platter for serving.

Serve with tomato sauce.

Source:
Mario Batali

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