Plakali with a Twist

Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (800g) 4 large potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (800g)
• 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 zucchini, thinly sliced 1 zucchini, thinly sliced
• 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 300g ground beef 300g ground beef
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 200g mozzarella cheese, grated 200g mozzarella cheese, grated
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 10g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 5g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
4. 4.
   Add the minced garlic, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
5. 5.
   Layer half of the sliced potatoes in a greased baking dish. Top with half of the ground beef mixture, followed by half of the bell peppers, zucchini, and tomatoes.
6. 6.
   Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients.
7. 7.
   Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
8. 8.
   Remove the foil and sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese over the top. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.
9. 9.
   Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Potatoes — Make sure to slice the potatoes thinly and evenly to ensure even cooking throughout the dish.
• Ground beef — Opt for lean ground beef to reduce the fat content of the dish.
• Mozzarella cheese — For a gooey and melty cheese topping, use freshly grated mozzarella instead of pre-packaged shredded cheese.

Tips & Tricks

• To add a smoky flavor, sprinkle a pinch of smoked paprika over the dish before baking.
• Experiment with different vegetables based on your preference and seasonal availability.
• For a spicier kick, add a dash of chili powder or red pepper flakes to the ground beef mixture.
• Serve with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for added creaminess.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated the next day for a delicious and convenient meal.

Serving advice

Plakali is best served hot, straight from the oven. Allow it to cool slightly before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, carefully arrange the sliced vegetables in an alternating pattern on top of the dish before baking. This will create an eye-catching visual appeal when the dish is served.