Moussaka

Moussaka

Ingredients:

For the meat sauce:

• 1 lb ground lamb or beef

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the eggplant layer:

• 2 medium eggplants, sliced thinly

• Salt

• Olive oil

For the béchamel sauce:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 2 cups whole milk

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• 2 eggs, beaten

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a large skillet, cook the ground lamb or beef over medium-high heat until browned.

3. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for a few minutes until softened.

4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Meanwhile, place the sliced eggplant in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Let it sit for about 30 minutes to release any excess moisture.

6. Rinse the eggplant slices with water and pat them dry with paper towels.

7. Brush both sides of the eggplant slices with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven for about 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

8. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.

9. Whisk in the flour and cook for a few minutes until golden brown.

10. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.

11. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste and let it simmer for about 5-10 minutes until thickened.

12. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the beaten eggs.

13. In a large baking dish, spread a layer of the cooked eggplant slices.

14. Spoon the meat sauce over the eggplant and spread it evenly.

15. Add another layer of eggplant slices on top of the meat sauce.

16. Pour the béchamel sauce over the top of the eggplant layer, spreading it evenly to cover the entire surface.

17. Bake the Moussaka in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.

18. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Enjoy your delicious Moussaka!