Armenian Moussaka Grandmother's Recipe: A Traditional Recipe
Armenian moussaka is an iconic dish that evokes the warmth of the family home and the authentic flavors of traditional cuisine. This recipe, passed down from generation to generation, skillfully blends tender eggplants, fresh vegetables, and ground meat, all covered in juicy tomatoes and topped with delicious Gruyère cheese. Easy to prepare, it suits many occasions: a family dinner, a meal with friends, or even to impress your guests at a special event. Plus, it is comforting and nourishing, perfect for cooler days. Serve it with a crunchy green salad or fresh bread for a balanced meal. Adaptable, you can mix up the vegetables or meat as you like, making it ideal for using what you have on hand. Moussaka is more than just a dish: it's a culinary journey, a moment of sharing, and a true invitation to discover Armenian culture through its gastronomy.
- Preparation time: 30 min
- Cooking time: 20 mn
- Servings: for 4 people
- Difficulty: Medium
Ingredients
- - 2 large eggplants
- - 4 medium zucchinis
- - 3 onions
- - 4 large potatoes
- - 500 g ground meat (beef or lamb)
- - 1 can of peeled tomatoes
- - 100 g grated Gruyère cheese
- - 1 beef Maggi cube
- - Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
1. Wash the eggplants, then slice them into rounds about 0.5 cm thick.
2. Wash and peel the zucchinis and the potatoes, then slice them into not too thin rounds.
3. Also slice the onions into not too thick rounds.
4. In a pressure cooker, add a little sunflower oil and start layering the ingredients.
5. Start with a layer of onions, followed by a layer of eggplants. Season with salt and pepper, then add a small layer of Gruyère.
6. Continue with a layer of zucchinis, then potatoes, followed by a layer of ground meat to finish with a layer of peeled tomatoes. Season again with salt and pepper, then add another layer of Gruyère.
7. Repeat the same process for a second layer. Once completed, pour the juice from the peeled tomatoes and add the beef Maggi cube.
8. Close the pressure cooker and start cooking for 20 to 30 minutes, from the moment the cooker starts to hiss.
Recommended wine
A red wine (like Côte du Rhône)
