moussaka

Moussaka is a traditional Greek dish consisting of layers of eggplant, minced meat (often lamb), tomatoes, and béchamel sauce. Here's a recipe to make moussaka:

Ingredients:

For the moussaka layers:

- 2 large eggplants (brinjals), sliced into rounds

- 500g minced lamb (or beef)

- 1 onion, finely chopped

- 3 cloves garlic, minced

- 2 tomatoes, diced

- 2 tablespoons tomato paste

- 1 teaspoon dried oregano

- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Olive oil for frying

For the béchamel sauce:

- 4 tablespoons butter

- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

- 2 cups milk

- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

- Salt and pepper to taste

- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

2. Place the eggplant slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until tender and lightly browned. Remove from the oven and set aside.

3. In a large pan, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until softened.

4. Add minced lamb (or beef) to the pan and cook until browned.

5. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

6. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for a few minutes until it forms a paste.

7. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Cook until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

8. Stir in ground nutmeg, salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese. Remove from heat and set aside.

9. To assemble the moussaka, layer half of the eggplant slices in the bottom of a baking dish. Spread the meat sauce over the eggplant layer. Then, layer the remaining eggplant slices on top.

10. Pour the béchamel sauce over the eggplant layer, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

11. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.

12. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Enjoy your homemade moussaka! It's a hearty and comforting dish that's perfect for sharing with family and friends.