This delicious food from Nigella Lawson is made with herbs and spices: kidney beans, eggplant, onion, garlic, carrot, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, and a blend of herbs and spices. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to make this meal, which serves 4 people.
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💗 Why You’ll Be Glad You Tried This Recipe
- Flavorful. This recipe uses a lot of different veggies and spices to make a tasty dish.
- Nutritious. It is a healthy meal because it is full of kidney beans and vegetables.
- Customizable. You can easily change the mix to your liking.
- Comforting. A meal that makes you feel good inside with layers of potatoes and a creamy cheese sauce.
❓ What Is Nigella Vegetarian Moussaka Recipe?
Nigella Vegetarian Moussaka is a dish with Mediterranean flavors that is made with eggplant, kidney beans, and many different kinds of veggies. It’s thick and creamy, with layers of sliced potatoes and a tasty tomato-based sauce. It’s named after the cook, Nigella Lawson, and has a good mix of sweet and savory tastes.
📜 Nigella Vegetarian Moussaka Ingredients
For The Moussaka
- olive oil
- 1 tin kidney beans (drained and rinsed in cold water)
- 1 large, sliced eggplant
- 1 large, sliced onion
- 2 cloves crushed garlic
- 1 large, sliced carrot
- 1 sliced zucchini
- 1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
- 1 green bell pepper (cut into strips)
- 1 tbsp. diced tomatoes (in rich juice)
- 2 sliced potatoes (parboiled)
- 2 tablespoons tomato puree
- 2 vegetable broth cubes (or bouillon powder, dissolved in about 1/4 pint water—or enough to just cover your vegetables in the pan)
- 1 teaspoon dried mixed herbs
- salt
- black pepper
For The Cheese Sauce topping, either Buy A Ready-made Cheese Sauce Or Make A Roux Cheese Sauce From scratch.
- 2 ounces all-purpose flour
- 2 ounces butter
- ⅘ pint milk
- 6 ounces grated Cheddar cheese
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
- salt
- black pepper
👩🍳 Instructions For Nigella Vegetarian Moussaka
- Wash and slice the eggplant, place the slices on a tray, sprinkle with salt, and let the bitter juices weep for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the Moussaka sauce by frying the onion in 2 tablespoons of olive oil for a few minutes, then add the garlic and all the vegetables except the potato and eggplant. Cook for another minute, then add everything except potato and eggplant.
- After boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 20–30 minutes.
- Return to the eggplant while boiling. To remove bitter weeping juices, rinse eggplant slices in a strainer.
- Pat dry with a clean tea towel or kitchen roll.
- Fry eggplant slices on each side in 6 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large frying pan until brown. Drain on a kitchen roll.
- Use a lasagne plate to layer Moussaka with vegetable sauce, potato, and eggplant.
- Sprinkle more grated cheese, black pepper, and cheese sauce on top.
- Bake at 180 degrees for 40 minutes until bubbling and brown.
💭 Recipe Tips
- To cook moussaka layers equally, cut eggplant slices uniformly and thinly.
- Before slicing and stacking, parboil the potatoes to make them soft.
- Add crushed garlic and dried herbs to taste to adjust spiciness.
- A high-quality tomato puree gives the sauce a deep, strong flavor.
- Watch the cheese sauce topping thickness. Too thin? Add cheese or flour to thicken, and too thick? Add milk to make it creamy.
What To Serve With Vegetarian Moussaka?
Nigella Vegetarian Moussaka pairs well with a fresh Greek salad, crusty bread, or a side of tzatziki sauce these accompaniments complement the flavors of the dish and add a refreshing element to the meal.
How To Store Vegetarian Moussaka?
- In the fridge. Traditional Nigella Vegetarian Moussaka can be kept in the fridge for up to three to four days in a container without air.
- In the freezer. Put it together but don’t bake it to freeze. Then, wrap it tightly and freeze it for up to 3 months.
How To Reheat Vegetarian Moussaka?
- In the Oven. Put foil over it and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 to 25 minutes.
- In the Microwave. Cover the dish and heat it on medium power for two to three minutes.
- On the Stovetop. In a pot or skillet over medium heat, heat the food and stir it every so often until it’s warm all the way through.
FAQs
Can I Use Frozen Vegetables In Vegetarian Moussaka?
Yes, you can use frozen vegetables in Vegetarian Moussaka thaw them before using them and adjust cooking time accordingly.
How Can I Ensure The Eggplant Is Cooked Properly In Moussaka?
Ensure eggplant is cooked properly by slicing it thinly, salting to remove excess moisture, and baking until tender.
Can I Make Vegetarian Moussaka In A Slow Cooker?
Yes, you can make Vegetarian Moussaka in a slow cooker layer the ingredients and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
How Can I Prevent My Moussaka From Turning Too Watery?
To prevent a watery moussaka, drain excess liquid from cooked vegetables, use parboiled potatoes, and ensure the sauce is thick enough before assembling.
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Nigella Vegetarian Moussaka Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Total Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
- Sodium: 600mg
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 8g
- Sugars: 10g
- Protein: 12g
Are You Looking For Best Nigella Lawson Cookbooks ? Here Are Top 5 Best Seller Nigella Lawson Cookbooks You Should Have:
- At My Table: A Celebration of Home Cooking
- Nigella Express: 130 Recipes for Good Food, Fast
- Cook, Eat, Repeat: Ingredients, Recipes, and Stories (recommended)
- Nigellissima: Easy Italian-Inspired Recipes
- Nigella Kitchen: Recipes from the Heart of the Home
Nigella Vegetarian Moussaka
Description
This delicious food from Nigella Lawson is made with herbs and spices: kidney beans, eggplant, onion, garlic, carrot, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, and a blend of herbs and spices. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to make this meal, which serves 4 people.
Ingredients
For The Moussaka
For The Cheese Sauce topping, either Buy A Ready-made Cheese Sauce Or Make A Roux Cheese Sauce From scratch.
Instructions
- Wash and slice the eggplant, place the slices on a tray, sprinkle with salt, and let the bitter juices weep for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the Moussaka sauce by frying the onion in 2 tablespoons of olive oil for a few minutes, then add the garlic and all the vegetables except the potato and eggplant. Cook for another minute, then add everything except potato and eggplant.
- After boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 20–30 minutes.
- Return to the eggplant while boiling. To remove bitter weeping juices, rinse eggplant slices in a strainer.
- Pat dry with a clean tea towel or kitchen roll.
- Fry eggplant slices on each side in 6 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large frying pan until brown. Drain on a kitchen roll.
- Use a lasagne plate to layer Moussaka with vegetable sauce, potato, and eggplant.
- Sprinkle more grated cheese, black pepper, and cheese sauce on top.
- Bake at 180 degrees for 40 minutes until bubbling and brown.
Notes
- To cook moussaka layers equally, cut eggplant slices uniformly and thinly.
- Before slicing and stacking, parboil the potatoes to make them soft.
- Add crushed garlic and dried herbs to taste to adjust spiciness.
- A high-quality tomato puree gives the sauce a deep, strong flavor.
- Watch the cheese sauce topping thickness. Too thin? Add cheese or flour to thicken, and too thick? Add milk to make it creamy.