Golden Lamb and Feta Moussaka

Certainly! Let’s delve into the details of this Moussaka recipe from lovewithrecipes.com:

Moussaka Recipe Details

Name: Moussaka
Cook Time: 1 hour
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Description: A delicious Moussaka recipe that combines layers of lamb, vegetables, and creamy feta cheese, perfect for potlucks or weeknight dinners.
Recipe Category: One Dish Meal
Keywords: Lamb/Sheep, Vegetable, Meat, Potluck, Weeknight, Oven, < 4 Hours
Aggregated Rating: 4/5 stars
Review Count: 1 review
Calories: 636.8 per serving
Nutritional Information per Serving:

• Fat Content: 35.4g
• Saturated Fat Content: 16.3g
• Cholesterol Content: 250.1mg
• Sodium Content: 1562mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 46.8g
• Fiber Content: 3.4g
• Sugar Content: 8.5g
• Protein Content: 32.1g
  Servings: 8
  Yield: Not specified

Ingredients

Quantities:

• 2 onions
• 3 cups mushrooms
• 1 1/2 cups dry white wine
• 1/4 cup tamari soy sauce
• 3 tsp dried basil
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tsp dried dill weed
• 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 lbs ground lamb
• 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with water
• 3 cups crumbled feta cheese
• 6 eggs
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups tomato juice
• 2/3 cup sweet Hungarian paprika (for sprinkling)

Instructions

1. Prepare Mushroom Sauce:

   • In a large soup pot or skillet, sauté the onions in 3 tablespoons of oil until translucent.
   • Add the mushrooms and sauté for several minutes until they start to brown and release their juices.
   • Stir in the wine, soy sauce, dried basil, fresh basil, dill weed, fresh dill, salt, and pepper. Simmer covered for about 20 minutes.

2. Thicken the Sauce:

   • Once mushrooms are cooked, stir in the cornstarch mixture. Cook for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens. Set aside.

3. Prepare Feta Mixture:

   • In a medium bowl, combine crumbled feta, eggs, and ground black pepper. Mix well and set aside.

4. Assemble Moussaka:

   • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Coat the bottom of a deep, oiled 12-inch square baking pan with about 1/2 cup of tomato juice.
   • Layer the moussaka as follows:
     • Start with a layer of uncooked, dry lasagna noodles.
     • Pour 1/3 cup tomato juice over the noodles.
     • Spread half of the mushroom sauce over the noodles.
     • Add all of the ground lamb evenly over the mushroom sauce.
     • Sprinkle with bread crumbs.
     • Repeat with another layer of noodles, tomato juice, remaining mushroom sauce, and finally top with the feta mixture.

5. Bake the Moussaka:

   • Sprinkle sweet Hungarian paprika over the top layer.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

6. Serve:

   • Allow the moussaka to set for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Tips and Notes

• Moussaka is a layered dish, similar to lasagna, and benefits from resting after baking to set and meld flavors.
• Adjust seasoning according to taste preference, especially salt and pepper.
• Ensure lasagna noodles are covered well with tomato juice to ensure even cooking.

This Moussaka recipe promises a flavorful combination of lamb, mushrooms, and feta cheese, layered to perfection and baked until golden. It’s ideal for gatherings or family dinners, offering a hearty and satisfying meal in every bite. Enjoy experimenting with this classic dish!