Tangy and Spicy Moussaka

Instructions

To prepare the aubergines:

1. Slice the tip and root of each aubergine
2. Peel the skin off the aubergines and discard
3. Slice into circles about 1.5cm or 1/2 inch thick
4. Place aubergine slices in a large bowl and sprinkle with 3-4 tablespoons of table salt
5. Mix the aubergines until they have all been salted well
6. Set aside for 1 hour until the aubergines have softened
7. Discard any liquid which has drained from the aubergines then squeeze the slices to remove any further liquid
8. Rinse the slices once more making sure to wash any excess salt off of both sides
9. Squeeze the slice again to make sure they don't absorb any of the washing water
10. Place your aubergine slices between paper towels and dry them offset aside before frying

To prepare the browned beef:

1. Dice the onion into a medium dice
2. Add 1 Tbsp vegetable oil to a pan on medium-high heat and add the onion
3. Cook for 3-5 minutes until translucent and the onion starts to soften
4. Mince 2 garlic cloves and add to the onion. Mix well then cook for 30 seconds
5. Push the onion to one side then add the minced beef to the pan on high heat
6. Press the meat into the pan and cook for 3-5 minutes until browned on the first side
7. Break the meat up into a few large pieces and flip onto the second side
8. Cook for 3 more minutes, then when mostly cooked use a wooden spatula to break the meat up into small pieces about the size of chickpeas
9. Add 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the meat then mix together

To make the tangy tomato sauce:

1. Add 1 Tbsp vegetable oil to a saucepan on medium-high heat
2. Mince 10 garlic cloves and add to the oil as well as green chilli, fry for 30 seconds until fragrant and softened but don't let them brown
3. Add 1 Tsp of ground cumin and 4 Tbsp of water-vinegar then fry for 30 seconds more
4. Add lemon juice, chopped tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and 200ml or 7oz of water to the pot and bring to a boil
5. Once it boils turn the heat down to low and let it simmer for 20-40 minutes until thickened and chunky
6. Add in 2 Tsp salt and 1 Tsp black pepper then mix and set aside to cool

To fry the aubergines:

1. Add enough frying oil to a pan until it's about 1.5cm or 1/2 an inch deep and turn the heat up to high. When the oil has heated add enough slices of aubergine to fill the pan
2. Fry the slices for about 8 minutes on the first side till they have browned then flip them over and fry for another 6-8 minutes till browned all over
3. Line a baking dish with paper towels and as your aubergines come out of the oil, place them on the paper towels to dry off
4. Fry your aubergine in batches and fry 1 or 2 green chilies. Make sure to pierce the chilies with a knife before frying them so they don't explode. They should be a light golden color when cooked

To assemble your moussaka:

1. Combine your meat with 2/3rds to 3/4s of your tomato sauce and mix until a thick meat sauce has formed
2. In a deep baking dish lay your aubergines in the base of the tray until the entire base has been covered. Make sure to fill in any gaps and fill the tray from edge to edge. Overlap the aubergine slices slightly till the layer has been completed
3. Add 1/2 of your meat mixture to the dish and spread it out to the edges until you have formed a level layer
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 using up the rest of the meat.
5. Layer the remaining aubergine slices on top of the meat mixture and if you have excess slices double up or overlap the aubergines
6. Cover the top aubergine layer with the remaining tomato sauce and spread it out, then clean up any splatter from the sides of the dish
7. Preheat the oven to 180c or 350f and bake the moussaka for 45 minutes to 1 hour until the tomato sauce has darkened and dried
8. Remove from the oven and let cool for 30 minutes before serving