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Warming Winter Moussaka

A wonderful winter dish for you this month. It takes a little effort but is well worth it at the end.
Enjoy!!

3 potatoes
2 zucchini
2 eggplants
Salt
Pepper
Sunflower oil, for frying.

INGREDIENTS
Mince meat
1 onion
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove of garlic
thyme
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
½ teaspoon ground cloves
1 levelled teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon tomato paste
500 g mince
400 g canned chopped tomatoes
salt, pepper
½ bunch parsley
½ bunch basil



Béchamel sauce
100 g butter, 100 g flour
750 g milk
salt, pepper
pinch of ground nutmeg
150 g parmesan, grated
3 egg yolks

METHOD

Place a deep pan over high heat. Add the sunflower oil and let it get hot. Peel the potatoes and slice them into thin rounds.
Slice the eggplants and zucchini into thin rounds and fry in a separate pan for 5-10 minutes.
Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a baking pan lined with paper towels. Allow to drain from excess oil.

Mince Mix
Place a pot over high heat and add the olive oil.
Coarsely chop the onion and add to pan.
Finely chop the garlic and add to pan along with thyme and sugar. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until they caramelize nicely.
Add the minced meat and break it up with a wooden spoon. Sauté until golden brown.
Add the tomato paste and sauté.
Add the chopped tomatoes, lower heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and add the parsley and coarsely chopped basil.
Season with salt and pepper.

Béchamel sauce
Place a pot over medium heat.
Add the butter and let it melt.
Add the flour and whisk until it soaks up all of the butter.
Add the milk in small batches while continuously whisking so that no lumps form.
As soon as the béchamel sauce thickens and bubbles start to form on the surface, remove from heat.
Add the nutmeg, salt, pepper, 100 g parmesan and 3 egg yolks. Whisk thoroughly.

TO ASSEMBLE
Preheat oven to 180oC (350oF).
In a 25x32 cm baking pan, spread a layer of potatoes, cover with a layer of eggplants and top with a layer of zucchini.
Season in between layers.
Add 2-3 tablespoons of béchamel sauce to the ground meat mixture and mix. Spread the ground meat over the vegetables.
Cover with the béchamel sauce, spreading it evenly and sprinkle with 50 g of grated parmesan.
Bake for 35-40 minutes.
Remove from oven and let it cool down.



Janina Clinning