Moussaka

A popular Mediterranean dish. Ingredients can vary, but this is the version I like the best. It includes sliced eggplant and ground beef with a wonderful layer of bachemel sauce on top. It does take some time to prepare, but tastes as good the next day, so can easily be prepared the day before if needed. I hope you enjoy!

• Ready In: 2 hrs
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 3  eggplants, peeled and cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick slices
•  salt
• 1  cup  oil
• 1  tablespoon butter
• 1 1⁄2 lbs lean ground beef
• 2  onions, chopped
• 3  garlic cloves, minced
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1⁄2 teaspoon thyme
• 3  tablespoons  chopped fresh parsley
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1  egg, beaten
• 1 1⁄2 cups  freshly grated parmesan cheese

• For the bachemel Sauce

• 5  cups milk
• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 6  tablespoons all-purpose flour
•  salt
•  white pepper, to taste
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh thyme
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1  beaten egg

Directions

1. Place the slices of eggplant on paper towels, sprinkle lightly with salt, and set aside for 30 minutes to draw out the moisture. Then in a skillet over high heat, heat the oil. Quickly fry the eggplant until browned. Set aside on paper towels to drain.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add the ground beef, salt and pepper to taste, onions, and garlic. After the beef is browned, sprinkle in the cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme and parsley. Pour in the tomato sauce and mix well. Simmer for 20 minutes. Allow to cool, and then stir in beaten egg.
3. To make the bechemel sauce, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually pour in the milk, increase the heat to medium high once all the milk is in the pan, bring it close to boiling, but not boiling, keep whisking until thickened. Season with salt, and white pepper. In the last minute of cooking add the fresh thyme and quickly whisk in the beaten egg.
4. Arrange a layer of eggplant in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover eggplant with all of the meat mixture, and then sprinkle 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese over the meat. Cover with remaining eggplant, and sprinkle another 1/2 cup of cheese on top. Spread the bechemel sauce over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
5. Bake for 1 hour at 375 degrees F or until bachemel sauce is nicely browned.
6. Bon apetit!