Lamb & Sweet Potato Moussaka by Le Creuset

• Main Ingredient: Aubergine & Lamb
• Prep Time: 30min
• Cook Time: 1hr
• Serves: 6-8
• Recipe by: Le Creuset

A great sharing dish from the Greek islands, this traditional meal contains generous layers of griddled aubergines, lamb mince coated in the beautiful blend of aromatic spices and sliced potato, all topped off with a creamy white sauce baked until golden and crisp. A slight divergence from the using traditional white potato, our recipe uses sweet potato that cooks a little quicker and adds a nice, sweet element to the dish.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place the roaster on the hob over a medium heat, add the oil and heat gently. Add the onion and fry for 5 minutes until it starts to soften, then add the garlic to the pan and fry for a further 1 minute.
2. Add the mince to the pan and fry until the it has browned – use a spatula to break up the mince whilst frying. Sprinkle in the herbs, cinnamon, paprika, curry powder, and cumin, coating the mince in all the spices. After, begin stirring through the tomato chutney.
3. Pour in the chopped tomatoes and once mixed with the mince, refill the empty can with water and add to the pan. Stir all the ingredients together before allowing to simmer over a medium low heat for 30 minutes until the liquid has reduced leaving a thick mince sauce.
4. In the meantime, place the sweet potato slices in salted boiling water and boil for 5 minutes to just slightly soften. Drain and set aside.
5. Lay the aubergines slices on a roasting tray and sprinkle with a little oil. Place under a hot grill until the slices start to char. Set aside with the potato until ready to assemble.
6. Finally, make the white sauce. First make a roux by melting the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, adding the flour, and mixing thoroughly. Cook, stirring continuously, over a low to medium heat for approximately 2 minutes.
7. Gradually add the milk in stages. Stir continuously as the roux absorbs the liquid at each addition to create a smooth, glossy sauce. Once all the milk is incorporated, sprinkle in the nutmeg and whisk in the egg, taking the sauce off the heat. Season with salt and pepper.
8. To assemble the moussaka, smooth the mince evenly on the bottom of the roaster. First layer on the grilled aubergines, followed by a layer of sweet potato slices. Finally, pour over the sauce and finish with the grated cheese. Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes until golden and crispy on top.
9. Once cooked, take the moussaka out of the oven, and allow to sit for 5 minutes to firm up. Serve with a fresh Greek salad.