Moussaka (Мусака)

2011-05-18T23:21:00.003+03:00

Moussaka is a traditional dish of the Balkans. In the West it is best known in its Greek form with aubergines, but in Bulgaria (where I'm from) it is made with potatoes.

What you'll need for 6-8 servings:

1 pound ground meat (50% pork, 50% beef)
2 pounds potatoes
1 big onion (about 1/2 lb.)
1 big carrot (about 1/2 lb.)
4 ounces tomato paste (or mashed tomatoes)
8 ounces yogurt
2 eggs
1 tbsp. red pepper/paprika
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. savory (or basil)
salt, pepper, oil

Heat a couple tablespoons of oil (sunflower or olive) and cook the onion and carrot until onion gets translucent (about 5 to 10 minutes).

Add the ground meat and cook until it looses its pink color. Stir constantly, so there aren't any big chunks of meat left.

When the meat is almost done add the red pepper, cumin, savory and tomatoes. Cook for another 5 minutes and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Peel the potatoes, slice them into 1/2 inch cubes and place them in a deep baking pan.

Add the meat and mix well, so there's meat and potatoes everywhere. Add 1/2 cup of warm water and bake for 40 minutes.

Mix the eggs with the yogurt and a bit of salt...

...and pour them over the meat-potato deliciousness that's almost done. Then cook for another 20 minutes, so the egg-yogurt mixture gets golden-brownish.

And voila! Bulgarian moussaka! :) You can serve it with couple tablespoons of yogurt as a side.

Sugar Bunny Cooking

Moussaka (Мусака)