Saudi Moussaka

Moussaka has always been a meal I enjoy regardless if it’s the Greek version or this Saudi one. This is a typical dish that is served in a Saudi home for dinner. We usually make samboosas, salad and some sort of soup to serve alongside it.

1 large eggplants
2 tomatoes, sliced
2 green peppers, cleaned and sliced
1 pound cooked ground beef or lamb
1 large potato, cleaned and sliced
1 large white onion, minced
1-1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon tomato paste
salt and pepper to taste
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup olive oil
Parsley, chopped for garnish

1. Peel the eggplants into strips (2cm slices). In a saute pan on medium heat add oil. Fry then arrange at the bottom of a baking dish. Next later potato slices.

2. Preheat oven to 350F.  In the same saute pan add onions and garlic, cook until tender. Add tomato paste, salt, pepper, cumin, water and lemon juice, bring to a full boil then remove from heat.

3. Our the sauce on top of vegetables in the baking dish. Add the meat then later with green peppers and tomato slices. Cover the top with foil and cook for 1 hour.  Garnish the top with parsley.

Yields: 6-8 servings