Beef -N-Potato Moussaka

This recipe is from one of my TOH cookbooks that we have enjoyed many times.

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 1  lb ground beef
• 1  medium onion, chopped
• 1  garlic clove, minced
• 3⁄4 cup water
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 3  tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried mint (optional)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 5  medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced

• PARMESAN SAUCE

• 1⁄4 cup butter, cubed
• 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2  cups milk
• 4  eggs, lightly beaten
• 1⁄2 cup  grated parmesan cheese
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
2. Stir in the water, tomato paste, parsley, salt, mint if desired, cinnamon and pepper. Set aside.
3. For sauce, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
4. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add milk.
5. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
6. Remove from the heat.
7. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into eggs; return all to the pan, stirring constantly.
8. Add the Parmesan cheese and salt.
9. Place half of the potato slices in a greased shallow 3-qt. baking dish.
10. Top with half of the Parmesan sauce and all of the meat mixture.
11. Arrange the remaining potatoes over meat mixture; top with the remaining Parmesan sauce.
12. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until potatoes are tender.
13. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.