Bobby Flay Moussaka is a harmonious fusion of ground lamb, spices, and creamy Bechamel sauce. A tantalizing dish with layers of flavor and textures. Serves 8, prep time 3hours.
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🍆 Bobby Flay Moussaka Ingredients
Lamb:
- 1/4 cup dried currants
- 1/4 cup Greek extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, stemmed, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1 serrano chile, finely diced
- 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 (28-ounce can) plum tomatoes, pureed until smooth with their juices
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley, plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
- Honey, if needed
Eggplant:
- 1 1/2 cups canola oil
- 1 1/2 pounds eggplant, cut crosswise into 14-thick slices
Bechamel Sauce:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup soft goat cheese
- 1 cup grated Romano
- 1 lemon, zested
🍲 How To Make Bobby Flay Moussaka
- For lamb: Soak currants in warm water for 30 minutes. Drain.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 6-quart pot on high. Stir in the lamb, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cayenne, salt, and pepper to break it up, then brown it for 5 minutes. Drain the lamb in a wide strainer over a dish, discarding the pan liquid. Return the pan to heat and add the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil until it shimmers. Add onions and bell pepper and sauté 5 minutes until tender. Add serrano and garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add tomato paste and simmer 1 minute.
- Return the lamb to the pan, add the wine, and simmer, stirring regularly, until almost evaporated, 5 minutes. Add tomato puree and currants and cook. Simmer for 30 minutes over medium-low heat until thickened. Add parsley and oregano and season with salt, pepper, and honey if needed. Get off the heat.
- For the eggplant, heat canola oil in a 12-inch skillet on medium-high. Season eggplant slices on both sides with salt and pepper. In batches, cook eggplant slices until soft and faintly golden brown on each sides, about 5 minutes. Slice eggplant and place on paper towels.
- Melt butter in a medium pot over medium heat for bechamel. Add flour and whisk frequently until pale and smooth, 2 minutes. Add milk and bay leaf and boil until thickened, stirring frequently. Discard the bay leaf and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Wait 5 minutes to chill the sauce. Whisk egg yolks, goat cheese, and lemon zest in a small bowl and add to bechamel sauce until smooth.
- Heat the oven to 400°F. Butter a 3-quart casserole or baking dish.
- To assemble: Cover half the dish with beef sauce and eggplant slices. Finish with the remaining eggplant slices and beef sauce. Spread bechamel evenly over beef sauce using a rubber spatula. Sprinkle Romano evenly over the dish, lay on a baking pan, and bake 45–50 minutes until golden and bubbling. Add more chopped parsley if desired. Serve after 20 minutes of cooling.
💭 Recipe Tips
- Ensure eggplant slices are evenly thick for consistent cooking.
- Adjust spice levels to personal taste for a balanced flavor.
- Use lean meat to prevent excessive oiliness in the dish.
- Layer ingredients evenly to create a well-balanced Moussaka.
- Allow Moussaka to cool slightly before serving for best texture.
🥗 What To Serve With Moussaka?
Serve Moussaka with a Greek salad, crusty bread, tzatziki, or roasted vegetables complement its richness with fresh, tangy sides and Mediterranean flavors for a delightful meal.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Moussaka?
- In The Fridge. Store Leftovers Moussaka in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, ensuring proper refrigeration.
- In The Freezer. To freeze Leftovers Moussaka wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap and foil storing it for up to 3 months.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Moussaka?
- In The Oven: Place Leftovers Moussaka in a preheated oven at 350°F, covered with foil, for 20-30 mins until heated through.
- In The Microwave: Reheat individual servings of Leftovers Moussaka on medium power for 2-4 mins, checking for desired warmth.
- In The Stovetop: Warm portions in a covered pan over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally for 10-15 mins.
FAQs
Can You Prepare Moussaka Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can prepare Moussaka ahead of time by assembling it and refrigerating for up to 24 hours before baking.
How Do You Prevent The Bechamel Sauce From Curdling In Moussaka?
To prevent Bechamel sauce from curdling in Moussaka, ensure the temperature is low when adding the milk and whisk constantly to create a smooth sauce.
Can You Substitute Lamb With Other Meats In Moussaka?
You can substitute lamb with other meats like beef or turkey in Moussaka for a different flavor profile.
How Do You Adjust The Spices To Make Moussaka Less Spicy?
To make Moussaka less spicy, reduce the amount of spicy ingredients like cayenne pepper or chili powder and increase milder spices like oregano or thyme.
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Bobby Flay Moussaka Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 500
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 25g
- Sodium: 700mg
Bobby Flay Moussaka
Description
Bobby Flay’s Moussaka is a harmonious fusion of ground lamb, spices, and creamy Bechamel sauce. A tantalizing dish with layers of flavor and textures. Serves 8, prep time 3hours.
Ingredients
Lamb:
Eggplant:
Bechamel Sauce:
Instructions
- For lamb: Soak currants in warm water for 30 minutes. Drain.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 6-quart pot on high. Stir in the lamb, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cayenne, salt, and pepper to break it up, then brown it for 5 minutes. Drain the lamb in a wide strainer over a dish, discarding the pan liquid. Return the pan to heat and add the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil until it shimmers. Add onions and bell pepper and sauté 5 minutes until tender. Add serrano and garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add tomato paste and simmer 1 minute.
- Return the lamb to the pan, add the wine, and simmer, stirring regularly, until almost evaporated, 5 minutes. Add tomato puree and currants and cook. Simmer for 30 minutes over medium-low heat until thickened. Add parsley and oregano and season with salt, pepper, and honey if needed. Get off the heat.
- For the eggplant, heat canola oil in a 12-inch skillet on medium-high. Season eggplant slices on both sides with salt and pepper. In batches, cook eggplant slices until soft and faintly golden brown on each sides, about 5 minutes. Slice eggplant and place on paper towels.
- Melt butter in a medium pot over medium heat for bechamel. Add flour and whisk frequently until pale and smooth, 2 minutes. Add milk and bay leaf and boil until thickened, stirring frequently. Discard the bay leaf and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Wait 5 minutes to chill the sauce. Whisk egg yolks, goat cheese, and lemon zest in a small bowl and add to bechamel sauce until smooth.
- Heat the oven to 400°F. Butter a 3-quart casserole or baking dish.
- To assemble: Cover half the dish with beef sauce and eggplant slices. Finish with the remaining eggplant slices and beef sauce. Spread bechamel evenly over beef sauce using a rubber spatula. Sprinkle Romano evenly over the dish, lay on a baking pan, and bake 45–50 minutes until golden and bubbling. Add more chopped parsley if desired. Serve after 20 minutes of cooling.
Notes
Ensure eggplant slices are evenly thick for consistent cooking.
Adjust spice levels to personal taste for a balanced flavor.
Use lean meat to prevent excessive oiliness in the dish.
Layer ingredients evenly to create a well-balanced Moussaka.
Allow Moussaka to cool slightly before serving for best texture.