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My Big-Fat Low-Fat Greek Moussaka

My Big-Fat Low-Fat Greek Moussaka
Prep Time
25 min
Cook Time
1h 10 min
Yields
8 servings

Layered Greek casserole with grilled vegetables and savoury meat sauce.

Moussaka is really several recipes in one, and is best broken down into steps: 1. Make the meat sauce (you can do this one day in advance), 2. Prepare the vegetables, 3. Make the white sauce, or in this case, cheese sauce, 4. Layer the Casserole, 5. Bake.

Per serving: 416 calories, 16 g total fat (7.6 g saturated fat), 31 g protein, 37 g carbohydrate, 6 g fibre, 133 mg cholesterol, 613 mg sodium

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ingredients

Meat Sauce

2
tsp olive oil
1 ½
cup chopped onions
2
tsp minced garlic
1 ½
lb(s) (680 g) extra-lean ground beef
½
tsp ground cinnamon
½
tsp chili powder
¼
tsp ground nutmeg
2
cup canned crushed tomatoes
1
cup beef broth
2
Tbsp minced fresh oregano
2
tsp minced fresh mint leaves
2
tsp balsamic vinegar
1
Tbsp brown sugar
¼
tsp salt
¼
tsp freshly ground black pepper
½
cup light feta cheese, crumbled to top marinade

Vegetables

1
medium eggplant
2
medium zucchini
2
medium red-skinned potatoes
2
Tbsp olive oil

Cheese Sauce

1
can (14 oz/380 mL) 2% evaporated milk
2
Tbsp all-purpose flour
⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
½
cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (2 oz/57 g)
1
cup light ricotta cheese
2
eggs, lightly beaten

To Assemble

Meat Sauce
Vegetables
Cheese Sauce
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directions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic. Cook and stir until onions are softened, about 3 minutes. Add beef. Cook until beef is no longer pink, breaking up any large pieces as meat cooks. Drain excess fat (if necessary). Stir in cinnamon, chili powder and nutmeg and cook 1 more minute. Add crushed tomatoes, broth, oregano, mint, balsamic vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Mix well.

Step 2

Simmer gently over low heat, uncovered, while you prepare the vegetables. Don’t forget to occasionally stir the sauce!

Step 3

Heat gas grill to high heat. Trim ends from eggplant and cut into 1/4-inch thick round slices. You’ll need about 12 slices total. Trim ends from zucchini and cut in half crosswise. Cut each half into 4 or 5 long slices, about 1/4-inch thick. Brush eggplant and zucchini slices lightly with olive oil and place on grill. Cook until tender with nice grill marks, turning halfway through cooking time. Set aside until ready to use.

Step 4

Scrub the potatoes (do not peel) and slice into 1/4-inch thick slices. Steam in steamer basket for about 12 minutes, or until just tender but not too soft. Remove from heat and set aside until ready to use.

Step 5

Make the Cheese Sauce when all other steps are completed and you’re just about ready to assemble the moussaka.

Step 6

Whisk together milk, flour, nutmeg, salt and pepper in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Whisk constantly until mixture thickens.

Step 7

Remove from heat. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until cheese melts. Stir in ricotta cheese until smooth. Whisk in beaten eggs.

Step 8

Preheat oven to 375º F. To assemble moussaka, spray a deep 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or brush lightly with olive oil.

Step 9

Arrange cooked potato slices over bottom of pan, overlapping if necessary. Spread half the meat sauce over potatoes.

Step 10

Top meat sauce with 1/2 cup crumbled light feta cheese. Arrange zucchini slices over feta, followed by eggplant slices. Top eggplant with remaining meat sauce. Pour cheese sauce over all.

Step 11

Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes. Let stand for 20 minutes before serving. Moussaka tastes better when it’s served warm and not piping hot! Plus, you need the long cooling time so that it holds together better.

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