Moussaka

• servings: 8 servings
• active time: 45 minutes
• total time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

3 eggplants, peeled and cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slices

salt to taste

¼ cup olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

1 pound lean ground beef

2 onions, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

ground black pepper to taste

2 tablespoons dried parsley

½ teaspoon fines herbs

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, divided

1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

½ cup red wine

1 large egg, beaten

4 cups milk

½ cup butter

6 tablespoons all-purpose flour

ground white pepper, to taste

1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Lay eggplant slices on paper towels; sprinkle lightly with salt. Let sit for 30 minutes to draw out moisture, then pat dry with paper towels.

Warm olive oil in a skillet over high heat. Fry eggplant until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels; set aside.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in ground beef, onions, and garlic; season with salt and black pepper. Cook and stir until beef is browned, 8 to 10 minutes.

Add parsley, fines herbs, cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Pour in tomato sauce and wine; mix well. Simmer for 20 minutes. Allow to cool, then stir in beaten egg.

Scald milk in a saucepan over medium heat.

At the same time, melt 1/2 cup butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Whisk flour into butter until smooth. Lower heat; gradually pour in scalded milk, whisking constantly until it thickens. Season béchamel sauce with salt and white pepper.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Arrange a single layer of eggplant in the prepared baking dish.

Cover eggplant with meat sauce, then sprinkle 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese on top. Cover with remaining eggplant and sprinkle another 1/2 cup cheese on top.

Pour béchamel sauce on top and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Cover with remaining cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly and browned, about 1 hour.

Let moussaka cool briefly to make it easier to slice. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

• Calories: 567 kcal
• Total Fat: 39 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 123 mg
• Sodium: 1017 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 29 g
• Dietary Fiber: 5 g
• Total Sugars: 14 g
• Protein: 24 g