Turkish Musakka Recipe - A Dish For All Seasons

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 220 degrees celsius.

Step 2

Remove the stalks from your aubergines and slice lengthways - around 1 cm thick.

Step 3

Lay your aubergine slices onto an oven tray and lightly drizzle with olive oil.

Step 4

Bake in the oven for approx 15 minutes until the aubergines are softening and have taken on colour. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Step 5

Meanwhile, heat a dash of olive oil over a medium heat in a frying pan.

Step 6

Add your onion & peppers and sauté gently until the onions start to sweat.

Step 7

Now add your meat & garlic and stir in.

Step 8

Sauté until your meat browns and starts to release its juices.

Step 9

Now you can add your kekik (thyme or oregon) & paprika and mix.

Step 10

Add your chopped tomatoes, stir and cook for 5 minutes until your tomatoes start to soften.

Step 11

Pour in around 50ml warm water & add your salça (tomato puree) and mix.

Step 12

Simmer for 5 minutes, do a taste test and season to taste with salt & pepper.

Step 13

Add more water if you want a thinner sauce and simmer for 15-20 mins until you have a rich tomato sauce.

Step 14

Now return to your aubergines. Remove from your baking tray and cut each length into about 4 pieces.

Step 15

Now take an oven proof dish and lay your aubergines over the base.

Step 16

Pour the meat mixture over the top along with a cup of hot water.

Step 17

Place in the centre of your oven at around 200 degrees celsius.

Step 18

Cook for 20 minutes until youır sauce is bubbling.

Step 19

Remove from the oven and leave to stand to cool a little before garnishing with fresh chopped parsley.

Step 20

Serve on its own or with a side of rice or mashed potato.