Angie Giannakodakis’s Mum’s Veggie Moussaka

During my childhood, there was always a certain aroma in our kitchen that filled me with nostalgia whenever I caught a whiff of it. It’s the kind of smell that takes you back to your roots and makes you feel at home. I’m excited to share with you a recipe that embodies those feelings: my mum’s homemade moussaka. This recipe has travelled over a century through my family. While there’s a traditional meat version with beef, I’m going to walk you through a delicious vegetable moussaka that’s a nod to my family’s culinary history, rooted in the flavours of the western coast of Turkey.

Serves: 10

6 large all-purpose potatoes

3-4 eggplants

Extra-virgin olive oil

250g brown lentils

1 white onion, finely chopped

1 bunch fresh parsley, roughly chopped 400g portobello mushrooms, diced 400g tomato masala or tomato purée 300g Saganaki cheese

(or Manchego as a substitute) 2 cinnamon sticks

4 cloves

2 bay leaves

Pinch old spice

Salt & pepper, to taste

Bechamel Sauce

150g butter

4 cups milk

3-4 tsp cornflour

2 eggs

Freshly grated nutmeg

1 egg yolk

Crisp iceberg salad, lemon & dill, to serve

1. Begin by slicing the potatoes and eggplants into thin pieces, about the thickness of a pinkie finger. Ensure some parts have a bit of texture for that delightful crispiness.

2. In a large frying pan, fry the potato and eggplant slices in olive oil until they turn golden and slightly crispy. Place them on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

3. In a separate pot, boil the lentils in water until they are cooked, approximately 15 mins. Drain them well. 4. In a large saucepan, sauté the onion and a handful of parsley in a generous amount of olive oil until the onions become translucent.

5. Add the diced mushrooms to the pan and stir until they absorb the olive oil and develop a slight colour. 6. Stir in the cooked and drained lentils, tomato masala or purée, cinnamon sticks, cloves, bay leaves and old spice. Allow it to come to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer.

7. If the mixture seems dry, add more olive oil and water as needed. Simmer for about 5 mins.

8. Once the lentil-mushroom mixture is ready, season it with salt and pepper to taste.

9. For the bechamel sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan, then add milk and cornflour. Stir continuously until it thickens into a creamy sauce.

10. Whisk in 2 eggs and grate some nutmeg into the sauce. Continue stirring until well combined.

11. Now it’s time to assemble your moussaka. Layer the potatoes and eggplants alternately in a baking dish. Grate some Saganaki cheese (or your preferred substitute) between the layers and season with salt and pepper. Then add the lentil-mushroom mixture on top.

12. Pour the prepared bechamel sauce evenly over the top layer of the moussaka.

13. Beat an egg yolk with a little water and brush it over the surface to create a golden crust.

14. Sprinkle more grated cheese and a pinch of nutmeg on top.

15. Bake the moussaka in a preheated oven at 180°C for 35-40 mins or until it’s bubbling and golden.

16. Let it rest for a while before cutting into squares. Enjoy your delicious homemade moussaka with a side of crisp iceberg salad dressed with olive oil, lemon and dill.

17. Moussaka tastes even better the next day, so don’t hesitate to save it as leftovers.

18. Afiyet olsun (enjoy)!