Mediterranean Greek Lunch Feast: Mouthwatering Moussaka & Quinoa Salad

Allergens

Contains no common allergens unless specified.

Ingredients

• Moussaka:
• 2 large eggplants
• 1 lb ground meat (beef or lamb)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) tomato sauce
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste Quinoa Salad:
• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice eggplants into 1/4 inch thick rounds and arrange on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and bake for 20 minutes or until tender. Set aside.
2. In a large skillet, cook ground meat with onion and garlic over medium heat until browned. Add tomato sauce and spinach simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. In a small bowl, mix ricotta cheese with Parmesan cheese. Layer eggplants in a baking dish, alternating with the meat mixture and topped with the cheese mixture. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top and bake for 20 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
4. Rinse quinoa and cook in water or vegetable broth according to package instructions until tender and fluffy. Let cool.
5. In a large bowl, mix together cooked quinoa, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, red onion, and parsley. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper pour over the salad and toss to combine.

Chef’s Insight

The key to this dish lies in balancing flavors and textures - from the tender eggplants and rich Moussaka to the freshness of the Quinoa Salad, each bite will be an unforgettable culinary experience.

Notes

Use fresh ingredients for the best flavors and textures. - Feel free to customize the Moussaka recipe with your preferred spices or ground meat.