Shortcut moussaka

1 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
¼cupOlive oil
2poundsGround beef
1smallOnion; chopped
1canTomato sauce; (15-ounce)
¾cupDry red wine
2tablespoonsChopped fresh parsley
1teaspoonDried oregano; crumbled
¼teaspoonGround cinnamon
¼cupButter; (1/2 stick)
¼cupAll purpose flour
2cupsMilk
3Eggs
1cupGrated Parmesan cheese
1largeEggplant; (about 1 1/2
; pounds), peeled,
; sliced into thin
; rounds

Directions

Heat olive oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion and cook until beef is brown, breaking up beef with fork, about 15 minutes. Mix in tomato sauce, red wine, parsley, crumbled oregano and ground cinnamon. Simmer until mixture thickens and is almost dry, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.

Cover tightly and refrigerate.) Preheat oven to 350F. Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour and stir 1 minute. Gradually add milk, whisking until smooth. Boil until thick, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Beat eggs in small bowl to blend. Whisk small amount of milk mixture into eggs.

Return mixture to saucepan. Bring to boil, whisking constantly. Remove custard from heat. Stir in ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Season custard to taste with salt and pepper.

Butter 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Arrange half of eggplant in bottom of dish. Season with salt and pepper. Spread meat mixture over. Top with remaining eggplant. Pour hot custard cheese sauce over eggplant.

Sprinkle with remaining ½ cup Parmesan. Cover loosely with foil and bake 1 hour. Uncover and continue baking until golden and bubbling on edges, about 10 minutes longer. Cool 10 minutes.

Serves 12.

Bon Appetit March 1992

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