Name: Moussaka and brinjal cannelloni
Yield: serving
Cuisine: Ingredients
Ingredients: 2 aubergine large; olive oil for brushing; 5 ml oil; 1 red onion diced; 2 cloves garlic cloves, crushed; 200 g lamb mince; 200 g button mushrooms minced; 15 ml harissa paste; 5 ml cumin ground; 3 ml cinnamon ground; 1/2 can tomato passata; 1 can lentils brown; 150 g ricotta cheese crumbled; 50 g yoghurt thick, Greek; 35 g parmesan cheese grated; 1/2 can tomato passata

Recipe Disclaimer

Tap for method

Ingredients (16)

Brinjal rolls:

2	aubergine — large
	olive oil — for brushing

Moussaka filling:

5 ml	oil
1	red onion — diced
2 cloves	garlic — cloves, crushed
200 g	lamb mince
200 g	button mushrooms — minced
15 ml	harissa paste
5 ml	cumin — ground
3 ml	cinnamon — ground
1/2 can	tomato passata
1 can	lentils — brown

TO ASSEMBLE:

150 g	ricotta cheese — crumbled
50 g	yoghurt — thick, Greek
35 g	parmesan cheese — grated
1/2 can	tomato passata

Tap for ingredients

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.

This recipe was published with permission by the The South African Mushroom Association.