It’s rare that I find a vegetarian version of a classic dish that I like as much as the original version, but this is one of those rare occasions! This version of the Greek classic, Moussaka uses portobello mushrooms instead of beef and it’s delicious. There’s a hint of cinnamon, but not so much to be overwhelming. It’s a not a recipe for those who don’t really like to cook, for the prep involved in putting the Moussaka together has several steps, but served with a Greek salad, it makes a perfect meal for a cold winter day.

Vegetarian Moussaka

Serve 4 to 6

Ingredients:

• 1 large eggplant, sliced into ½-inch rounds
• ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 2 carrots, finely diced
• 2 ribs celery, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 12 ounces Crimini or Portobello mushrooms, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano OR 3 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano leaves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ¼ cup white wine (optional)
• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

Topping:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups whole milk
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

Directions:

1. Prepare the eggplant slices by sprinkling salt on both sides, and placing the slices onto a paper towel. Cover the eggplant with another piece of paper towel and set aside for 30 minutes. (This is to help extract some of the bitter enzymes in the eggplant.) While the eggplant is soaking, pre-heat the oven to 400ºF. Brush any extra salt off the eggplant and brush both sides with olive oil. Bake on a baking sheet for 10 minutes, flip the slices over and bake for another 12 to 15 minutes or until the eggplant is tender and cooked through.
2. Make the sauce while the eggplant is baking. Pre-heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and sauté the onion, carrots and celery until tender – about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, mushrooms and dried spices and cook for another 10 minutes. Add the white wine (if using) and crushed tomatoes. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly – about 15 minutes.
3. Make the cheese sauce topping. Pre-heat a saucepan over medium heat. Melt the butter and add the flour, whisking for about 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk and bring the mixture to a boil so that it thickens. Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the cheese and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper and let it cool just a little, then whisk in the egg.
4. Assemble the Moussaka. Place half of the eggplant slices in the bottom of a 2-quart ceramic baker. Pour half of the sauce on top. Sprinkle the Parmesan and feta cheeses over the casserole. Place the remaining eggplant slices on top. Pour the remaining sauce on top. Finally, pour the cheese sauce topping over everything.
5. Transfer to the oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Let the Moussaka cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

(missing the red onion, which I was unexpectedly out of when I made this version!)

I served this Brussels Sprouts dish at Canadian Thanksgiving this year. Celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving in October always gives me a chance to try recipes before American Thanksgiving, and this one was a winner. There are so many flavors going on in the Thanksgiving meal, that this cold crisp vegetable salad with salty Locatelli cheese was a refreshing welcome and accompaniment to the mashed potatoes, bread stuffing, cranberry sauce, turkey and gravy. Plus, it’s great in a sandwich the next day. Bonus.

Brussels Sprouts with Fennel, Radishes, Red Onion, Parsley and Locatelli Cheese

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced, soaked in water and rinsed
• 1 medium bulb fennel, thinly sliced
• 1 pound Brussels Sprouts, trimmed and thinly sliced
• 1 cup fresh parsley leaves
• 1 bunch radishes, julienned
• Locatelli (or Pecorino) cheese, shredded (as much or as little as you’d like)
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon white wine or champagne vinegar
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:

1. Slice all the vegetables in very thin slices. Start with the red onion because you should soak the red onion in cold water for at least 20 minutes to take away some of the harsh flavor. You can do this while you slice the other vegetables. Mix the vegetables, the parsley leaves and the Locatelli cheese shavings together in a bowl.
2. In a small bowl combine the mustard, salt, pepper and vinegar. Blend well to dissolve the mustard and salt. Add the olive oil and check your seasoning, seasoning again if need be. (Remember the Locatelli cheese is quite salty.)
3. Toss the vegetables in the vinaigrette and serve. This is quite tasty the next day too.