Serves 4 - 6
Ingredients
Brinjal rolls:
2 large brinjals
olive oil, for brushing
Moussaka filling:
5ml oil
1 red onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
200g minced lamb
200g button mushrooms, minced
15 ml harissa paste
5ml ground cumin
3ml ground cinnamon
½ jar passata tomato sauce
1 (410 g) can brown lentils, drained
To assemble:
150 g fresh ricotta, crumbled
50 g thick Greek-style yoghurt
35 g Parmesan cheese, grated
½ jar passata tomato sauce
Method
Brinjal rolls
Cut the brinjals lengthwise into ½ cm thick slices.
Lightly brush both sides of the brinjal with some olive oil.
Heat a griddle pan or braai. Cook the brinjal slices, in batches, for 2-3 minutes per side.
Transfer to a plate and set aside to cool.
Moussaka filling
Heat the oil in a pan and gently fry the onion and garlic for 4 – 5 minutes.
Fry the lamb and mushrooms for 3 – 4 minutes. Stir in the harissa paste, cumin, cinnamon and tomato sauce.
Simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the lentils and set aside to cool.
To assemble
Preheat the oven to 160°C.
Combine the ricotta cheese, yoghurt and half of the Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
Place a brinjal slice on a work surface and top with a little of the ricotta mixture and a spoonful of the mushroom and lamb mixture.
Roll up to enclose filling. Spread the remaining tomato sauce on the base of an ovenproof dish and place the brinjal roll on top.
Repeat with remaining brinjal slices and place in a single layer in the baking dish.
Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over the brinjals.
Bake for 15 - 20 minutes.
Top with fresh herbs, if desired, before serving.
Recipe courtesy of The South African Mushroom Farmers' Association