Loved by Lucy* (Guest Services Agent)
INGREDIENTS
4 medium sized potatoes
3 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for brushing
1 red onion, sliced
500g lamb mince
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 teaspoon mixed spice
500ml passata
2 eggplants, cut into slices
300ml tub crème fraîche
140g cheddar cheese, grated
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
8
Keeps well in the refrigerator 3 - 4 days and reheats beautifully
METHOD
Boil. Cook the whole potatoes on the stove-top for 25 - 40 minutes, just until tender. Drain and allow to cool.
Fry. Using the same pan (minus the potatoes!), heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the onion. Cook until softened, then add the lamb. Fry the lamb for 5 minutes or until cooked through and starting to char. Add the garlic and spice, and stir in the passata. Bring to a simmer, then season to taste, take off the heat and set aside until needed.
Preheat, Grill and bake. Set the oven to 430°F, then warm a griddle pan over a high heat and brush a little oil over the eggplants. Grill for 2 - 3 minutes each side or until char lines appear. You may have to do this in 3 - 4 batches.
Construct. Once cool enough to handle, cut the boiled potatoes into thick slices. Put 1 tablespoon oil in the base of a deep ovenproof dish and start with a layer of potatoes, then eggplants, a sprinkling of seasoning, then a layer of the lamb mixture. Repeat until all the mixture is used up, ending with a layer of eggplants. Spread the crème fraîche over the top and scatter with the cheese. Put in the oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese is golden.
*Adapted from BBC GoodFood (Miriam Nice) Easy Moussaka
Photos by Keir Atkinson