Moussaka

Moussaka is a delicious Greek dish made with layers of eggplant, ground meat (often beef or lamb), and a creamy béchamel sauce. Here's a basic recipe to make moussaka:

**Ingredients:**

For the Eggplant Layers:

- 2 large eggplants, sliced into rounds

- Salt

- Olive oil for brushing

For the Meat Sauce:

- 1 pound ground beef or lamb

- 1 onion, finely chopped

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes

- 2 tablespoons tomato paste

- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- Salt and black pepper to taste

- Olive oil for cooking

For the Béchamel Sauce:

- 4 tablespoons butter

- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

- 2 cups milk

- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

- 2 large eggs, beaten

- Salt and nutmeg to taste

**Instructions:**

1. **Prepare the Eggplant:**

   - Place the eggplant slices on a baking sheet and sprinkle both sides with salt. Let them sit for about 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture.

   - After 30 minutes, rinse the eggplant slices and pat them dry with paper towels.

   - Brush both sides of the eggplant slices with olive oil and grill or bake them until they become tender and lightly browned. Set aside.

2. **Make the Meat Sauce:**

   - In a large skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat.

   - Add the chopped onions and garlic, and sauté until they become translucent.

   - Add the ground meat and cook until it's browned and crumbled.

   - Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, ground cinnamon, salt, and black pepper.

   - Simmer the sauce for about 15-20 minutes until it thickens. Remove from heat.

3. **Prepare the Béchamel Sauce:**

   - In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.

   - Stir in the flour to make a roux. Cook for a minute or two until it turns lightly golden.

   - Gradually add the milk while continuously whisking to avoid lumps.

   - Cook the sauce until it thickens, then remove it from heat.

   - Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, beaten eggs, a pinch of salt, and a dash of nutmeg. Mix until well combined.

4. **Assemble the Moussaka:**

   - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

   - In a greased baking dish, arrange a layer of grilled eggplant slices at the bottom.

   - Add a layer of the meat sauce on top of the eggplant.

   - Repeat the process with another layer of eggplant and meat sauce.

   - Pour the béchamel sauce evenly over the top.

5. **Bake:**

   - Place the moussaka in the preheated oven and bake for about 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the moussaka is cooked through.

6. **Serve:**

   - Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Moussaka is often served warm.

Enjoy your homemade moussaka! It's a hearty and comforting dish with layers of rich flavors.