Greek Style Vegan Moussaka Recipes

THE BEST VEGAN MOUSSAKA

Steps:

• Start by soaking cashews in very hot water for 30 minutes. In the meantime, move on to the next steps.
• ROASTED GARLIC: Heat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C). Slice off the very top of the head of garlic and set on a piece of foil. Drizzle the top with oil and wrap to conceal. Then roast directly on a center oven rack for ~50 minutes to 1 hour, or until the cloves are tender, fragrant, and light golden brown.
• EGGPLANT: Slice eggplant vertically, 1/4 inch thick. Then salt slices on both sides and add to a colander set over a mixing bowl or in the sink (to catch moisture). Let rest 30 minutes to draw out moisture and reduce bitterness. After 30 minutes, rinse and press between 2 clean towels to pat dry.
• Transfer to 2 large baking sheets lined with parchment paper and brush both sides with olive oil (either spray or use a pastry brush). Then bake at 400 degrees F (204 C) for 15-20 minutes or until slightly golden brown.
• BECHAMEL: Drain your soaked cashews and add to a small blender along with roasted garlic (cool slightly then squeeze up from the bottom to the top to remove cloves), olive oil, nutritional yeast, salt, water, and nutmeg (optional). Blend on high until creamy and smooth.
• Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt to taste or nutritional yeast for cheesiness. Set aside.
• LENTIL FILLING: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add oil and onions and sauté until golden brown and slightly caramelized - ~5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• Add garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat as needed if browning too quickly.
• Add lentils and crushed tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, oregano, and nutmeg (optional). Simmer for 15 minutes, uncovered (if splattering, lower heat and cover with lid but crack to allow steam to escape). Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more oregano for herbal notes, nutmeg for nuttiness, or salt or pepper to taste.
• ASSEMBLY: To an 8x8 dish, add 1/3 of the eggplant slices (overlapping slightly if needed), then top with 1/2 of the lentil mixture and spread into an even layer. Then top with another 1/3 of the eggplant. Then add the remaining lentil mixture, and top with the remaining 1/3 of the eggplant. Pour over the bechamel and smooth into an even layer.
• Bake at 400F (204 C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and the top appears slightly dry and golden brown on the edges.
• Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Store cooled leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

GREEK STYLE VEGAN MOUSSAKA RECIPE

Steps:

• We begin making the Vegan Moussaka Recipe by soaking the lentils overnight and boiling them separately in a pressure cooker, cook the chickpeas for about 6 whistles and simmer in low heat for about 20 minutes.
• But for Masoor dal cook it in the pressure cooker for about 4 whistles and simmer for just 5 minutes and switch off the flame.
• Heat a flat pan with oil, add garlic and onions and sauté till it is golden brown, Next sprinkle the cinnamon powder, nutmeg powder and salt. Cook till it for 5 more minutes.
• Then keep some separately to add for the Moussaka layer. In the remaining onion, add the tomato puree, add few drops of lemon juice, sugar, thyme and add in the cooked lentils, cook till the raw smell of the tomato goes away. Season it well with salt.
• Keep checking the gravy as it might get burnt easily so you can add ½ cup of water if it is needed.
• Next is to cut the eggplant into very thin roundels, sprinkle some salt and keep it aside for 10 minutes, then heat a pan with some oil and toast the eggplant on both the sides till it is golden brown. Keep them aside.
• Boil the potatoes with skin peeled in a pressure cooker for 4 whistles till it is little firm. Then grate the potatoes and keep it in a small bowl.
• Add chopped garlic, salt and some olive oil and toss it evenly till it is coated.
• Pre-heat the oven to 180 degree Celsius for 10 minutes, in the meantime grease a casserole, add the lentil gravy first.
• Next ,add the caramelized onions that was kept aside on top. Layer it with the roasted aborigine roundels and top it up with the grated potato.
• Place it in the oven and cook it for 10 more minutes till the potato has changed the color to light brown.
• Serve the Greek Style Vegan Moussaka Recipe as a one pot dish recipe for a Sunday lunch meal.

VEGAN MOUSSAKA WITH CASHEW BéCHAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• *Note: Be sure to check out the recipe tips and step-by-step photos above!
• Preheat the oven to 392°F (200°C) top/bottom heat and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the eggplants lengthwise into 1.5-cm thick slices and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Brush or spray with a little oil and sprinkle with salt. Then bake for 20 minutes, until soft and lightly browned. (Alternatively, cut the eggplants into round slices and pan-fry them in a pan for about 3-4 minutes on each side).
• In the meantime, add some water to a large pot and bring it to a boil. Peel the potatoes, slice them into ½-cm thick slices and simmer for about 5-7 minutes. Then drain thoroughly and allow to cool.

VEGETARIAN MOUSSAKA - CLASSIC GREEK CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Slice up your eggplant, then sprinkle it with a salt and leave it for 30 minutes. Pat it dry. Next brush with olive oil on both sides, place on baking sheet, season with pepper and roast on 400F for 12-15 minutes, until soft; Remove from the oven and let them cool;
• Slice up your zucchini, and season with salt and pepper. Brush with oil on both sides, and place on baking sheet and bake with eggplants for about 12-15 minutes; Remove from the oven and let them cool;
• Peel and slice potatoes and cook them in a slightly salted boiling water until fork tender for about 10 minutes; place them in a colander to discard the water and let them cool;
• To prepare your spinach/feta layer, start off by chopping some onions and garlic;
• In a skillet, heat up the olive oil, add onions and cook for 2-3 minutes, until translucent;
• Add garlic and cook for an additional minute;
• Add spinach and let it cook down until totally wilted;
• Then add fresh dill, salt, and pepper and set aside to cool off. This would be the time to adjust seasoning, but be careful with the salt as feta will add some saltiness to this mix.
• In a bowl beat 2 eggs, add feta, salt, and pepper;
• Once the spinach mixture is cooled, add it to the bowl, mix everything together and set it aside.
• To make a tomato sauce you'll start off the same way as above with spinach/feta layer:
• Heat up some olive oil, add onions and cook until translucent;
• Add garlic and cook for one more minute;
• Then add spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, & oregano;
• Add pureed tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper. Then cover and cook for approximately 20 minutes;
• Adjust seasoning (salt and pepper) as needed.
• In a skillet, melt butter; then add flour and whisk vigorously;
• Gradually start adding milk and mixing it in, until the sauce is smooth;
• Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg;
• Turn off the heat;
• Add Parmesan cheese and mix well;
• This would be the time to check for seasoning and adjust accordingly;
• Beat 2 eggs and 1 egg yolk and add them to the béchamel sauce, mixing thoroughly.
• Preheat the oven to 350F;
• Using a 9X13" casserole dish, brush it with olive oil or spray with cooking spray;
• Add slices of eggplant and top them with slices of zucchinis;
• Then add tomato sauce;
• Add another layer of eggplant;
• Add a layer of spinach/feta mix;
• Add sliced potatoes;
• Top it all of with your béchamel sauce;
• Sprinkle it with some more Parmesan Cheese;
• Bake it in the oven for 50-55, minutes until golden brown and bubbly;
• Let it cool off for about 20 minutes before serving. Enjoy!