Mousakka Kipriaki me Patates
A hearty Cypriot take on the classic moussaka, featuring layers of thinly sliced potatoes, eggplant, and a rich meat sauce, topped with a creamy béchamel.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Potatoes(peeled and thinly sliced)
- 2 large Eggplants(sliced thinly and salted to draw out moisture)
- 500 g Ground lamb
- 2 medium Onions(finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 400 g Crushed tomatoes
- 120 ml Red wine
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 1 Bay leaf
- 0.5 cup Fresh parsley(chopped)
- 100 ml Olive oil(for frying)
- 100 g Butter(for béchamel)
- 100 g All-purpose flour(for béchamel)
- 1 liter Milk(warmed, for béchamel)
- 2 large Eggs(for béchamel)
- 0.25 tsp Nutmeg(grated, for béchamel)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Fry the potato slices in olive oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with eggplant slices until golden brown and set aside.
- 2
In a large pan, sauté the chopped onions in olive oil until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- 3
Add the ground lamb to the pan and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
- 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, red wine, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
- 5
Prepare the béchamel: Melt butter in a saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the warm milk until smooth. Cook, stirring, until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in eggs and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper.
- 6
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- 7
Assemble the moussaka: In a large baking dish, layer half the fried potatoes, then half the fried eggplants. Spoon half of the meat sauce over the eggplant. Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, eggplants, and meat sauce.
- 8
Pour the béchamel sauce evenly over the top layer. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling.
- 9
Let the moussaka rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Salting the eggplants beforehand helps to remove excess moisture and bitterness.
- ✓Ensure the béchamel is smooth and lump-free by gradually adding the milk.
- ✓Allowing the moussaka to rest before serving helps it hold its shape when cut.
🔄 Variations
- Add a layer of halloumi cheese for an extra Cypriot touch.
- Use a mix of lamb and beef for the meat sauce.