Free Keto Meal Plan : KETO DIET PLAN FOR BEGINNERS STEP BY STEP GUIDE
Ingredients:
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground lamb for a more traditional flavor)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
The Eggplant Layers:
- 2 medium eggplants, thinly sliced lengthwise
- Olive oil for brushing and frying
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Béchamel Sauce:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- Salt and nutmeg to taste
Free Keto Meal Plan: STEP-BY-STEP KETO DIET PLAN FOR BEGINNERS
Instructions:
For the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
- Add the ground beef and cook until it’s browned and cooked through, breaking it into crumbles with a spoon.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes to let the flavors meld. Remove from heat and set aside.
The Eggplant Layers:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brush the eggplant slices with olive oil on both sides and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a bit more olive oil.
- Fry the eggplant slices for about 2-3 minutes per side or until they are tender and have grill marks. You may need to do this in batches.
For the Béchamel Sauce:
- In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat. Bring it to a gentle simmer, then remove it from the heat.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and grated Parmesan cheese together.
- Slowly add the egg mixture to the hot cream, whisking continuously to prevent curdling. Season with salt and a pinch of nutmeg.
Assembling and Baking:
- In a greased 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish, start by layering half of the cooked eggplant slices.
- Spread the meat sauce evenly over the eggplant layer.
- Add the remaining eggplant slices on top of the meat sauce.
- Pour the béchamel sauce over the top layer of eggplant, spreading it out evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the moussaka is bubbling.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Facts:
(assuming 1/6th of the moussaka per serving):
- Calories: 470
- Total Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Cholesterol: 200mg
- Sodium: 590mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 14g
- Dietary Fiber: 5g
- Total Sugars: 7g
- Protein: 20g