Meat Free Moussaka (served with Crostinis, béchamel & salad) another one of my award winning dishes:-)

This recipe was originally vegetarian which I have now veganised

• 1 Large Brinjal
• 1 medium potato
• A Glug of Olive oil
• ¼ tsp mustard seeds
• ¼ tsp cumin seeds
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2-3 bay leaves
• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 2-3 green chillies
• 1 tbsp 15 ml freshly ground garlic/ginger
• 1 tbsp 15 ml coriander powder
• ½ tbsp 7 ml cumin powder
• 1-2 tbsp 15-30 ml mix masala
• ½ cup (125 ml) red pepper finely chopped
• ½ cup (125 ml) yellow pepper finely chopped
• 2 cups  Soya Mince or cooked brown lentils
• ½ cup 125 ml frozen peas
• ½ (200ml) can tomatoes
• 1 tsp 15 ml salt
• 40 ml fresh coriander finely chopped (add more if you like)
• 40 ml flat leave parsley finely chopped (add more if you like)

Béchamel sauce

• 1 knob vegan margarine/butter
• 50 ml white flour
• 400ml soy/almond milk (unsweetened
• 80 ml grated vegan gouda/cheddar cheese
• Pinch of nutmeg
• Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
• 3 Tbsp (45ml) Nutritional yeast

Let’s Cook 🙂 

Let’s Cook J 

• Cut brinjal lengthwise, scoop out flesh, chop it up and set aside.  Lightly salt brinjal shells.
• Peel, cube and boil potato until tender.  Roughly mash. Season with salt, pepper and a knob of butter.  Keep aside
• Heat oil in a sauce pan.  Add mustard seeds; once it splatters add cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, bay leaves chillies and onions.  Fry until onions are translucent. 
• Add garlic/ginger – fry for a few seconds.  Spoon in coriander powder, cumin powder and mix masala. 
• Toss in chopped brinjal, peppers and salt – cook for 5-8 minutes.  Add soya mince, peas.  Cook for 5 minutes
• Throw in tomatoes and cook on medium heat for 10 – 15 minutes.  Add parsley and coriander leaves
• Preheat oven at 180 o C. Wipe out brinjal shells with paper towel and lightly oil.  Layer mash potato and top with filling.
• Bake for 30 – 40 Minutes.  (adjust timing – ovens differ) 15-20 mins
• béchamel  – In a saucepan melt butter, stir in flour.  Cook for a few seconds.  Add milk stirring constantly until thickened.  Add cheese, nutmeg, black pepper, nutritional yeast and salt. Let this simmer for a for minutes until the cheese melts completely. 
• Serve with Crostinis, sauce and salad. 
• Suggestions:  You can either pour white sauce on brinjals and bake or just serve in on the side.