These little casseroles pack all the Middle-Eastern and Grecian flavours of a classic moussaka in a convenient individual serving.
To make this delicious dsih you will need 4 Le Creuset Petite Casserole Dishes, check out our selection here.
Makes 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon oil, for frying
1 small onion, diced
1 garlic clove, crushed
500g lamb mince
1 heaped teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato paste
60ml good-quality red wine
1 400g tin chopped tomatoes
Sea salt and cracked black pepper
1 medium-sized sweet potato
1 aubergine
150g crème fraîche
40g cheddar cheese, grated
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METHOD
Preheat oven the to 200⁰C/ Fan 180⁰C/ Gas Mark 6
- Heat a little oil in a frying pan and sauté the onion for 5 – 6 minutes until soft. Add the garlic along with a pinch of salt and fry for a further 1 minute.
- Add the lamb to the pan and cook until browned. Sprinkle in the oregano and all the spices and fry for another 1-2 minutes before adding the sun-dried tomato paste.
- Pour in the wine and simmer for 2 minutes before adding the chopped tomatoes. Allow to simmer and reduce over a medium heat for approximately 10 minutes until thick. Season to taste.
- In the meantime, take the aubergine and slice at its widest part into 4 x 1cm-thick rounds. Brush with a little oil and place on a hot griddle for 3 – 4 minutes. Once lightly charred, flip over and repeat on the other side. Set aside.
- Meanwhile wash and prick the sweet potato and cook in the microwave on high for 5 minutes. Remove from the microwave and slice into 1cm-thick rounds.
- When ready to assemble, divide the lamb mince equally between the 4 petite casseroles. Lay the sweet potato on top followed by the aubergine rounds. Spoon over a little crème fraîche before finishing with a sprinkling of grated cheese.
- Place the casseroles on a baking tray and put in the oven for 20 minutes until golden and bubbling. For an extra crispy topping, place under the grill for a couple of minutes.
- Serve with a green salad and crusty bread for dipping.
Cook’s Notes
- Make your moussaka in advance not only to make light work of dinner but making the day before will help to develop the flavour. Follow the method to step 4 before covering with a lid and placing in the fridge. Allow an extra 5 minutes in the oven if cooking from fridge temperature.
