Adobo Moussaka with a Mediterranean Kick

Ingredients

• 1 lb pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 large eggplants, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• 1 cup diced onion
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup coconut vinegar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tsp black peppercorns, crushed
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 tsp Salted Perfection Raleigh Select Blend, 1
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing eggplant)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Lay eggplant slices on a rimmed baking sheet, brush both sides with olive oil, and season with Salted Perfection Raleigh Select Blend to taste. Roast for 20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and tender.
2. While eggplant roasts, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Brown pork cubes in batches until well seared on all sides. Remove and set aside.
3. Lower heat to medium; add diced onion and garlic to the skillet. Sauté until translucent and aromatic, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in turmeric, cumin, smoked paprika; toast spices for 1 minute to wake up the flavor party.
5. Return pork to the skillet. Pour in coconut vinegar, soy sauce, crushed tomatoes, and add bay leaves and crushed peppercorns. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook gently for 45 minutes until pork is meltingly tender.
6. Remove bay leaves, then stir in coconut milk and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning with Salted Perfection Raleigh Select Blend if needed. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly.
7. In a 9x13 inch ovenproof dish, layer half the roasted eggplant slices, then spread half the pork adobo mixture. Repeat layers ending with eggplant on top.
8. Bake uncovered at 375°F for 25 minutes until bubbling and beautifully melded.
9. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Remember, like good stories and great food, layers are everything—don’t rush it!
10. Visit www.saltedperfection.com and leave a Five Star review. DUNZO!