Mouth - watering Moussaka

           Moussaka is an aubergine (eggplant) or potato - based dish, often including ground meat, in the cuisines of the former Ottoman Empire, with many local and regional variations. In the Balkans, the dish is layered and typically served hot.
           Serbian version of moussaka consists of potatoes instead of eggplant, pork or beef mince, and the top layer is usually milk or yogurt mixed with raw eggs, sometimes with a couple of spoons of flour added. There is also a three - layer version: the bottom layer consists of ground pork and beef, the middle layer of potato slices, and the top layer is typically custard. Each layer is cooked on its own and layered in a pan and baked until the top is browned.

Here's one of the traditional Greek moussaka recipes that is often used in Serbia.

           Ingredients:                                                                                                  

• 2 medium eggplants
• olive oil (as needed)
• 1 lb lean ground beef (or lamb)
• 2 medium onions, peeled and chopped
• 2 tablespoons of fresh minced garlic 
• 1 can of tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper 

          Cheese sauce:

• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons of flour
• 1 cup oh half - and - half cream
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese 

DIRECTIONS

1. Grease a 9 x 9-inch baking pan although you could use a 13 x 9 pan using a smaller pan will result in a thicker casserole.
2. Peel the eggplants then slice 1/4-inch thick (or a little thicker won't hurt).
3. Brush cookie sheet with olive oil.
4. Coat each side of sliced eggplant with olive oil then season slices with salt and freshly ground pepper (I use seasoned salt for this and use as much pepper as desired).
5. Place the eggplant slices on cookie sheet; broil under the broiler until brown; turn and broil the other side, brushing with oil if needed; repeat with all eggplant slices.
6. In the bottom of the prepared baking dish arrange half of the eggplant slices.
7. In a large skillet, combine beef and onions; cook stirring until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are soft; drain fat.
8. Add in the garlic, tomato sauce, oregano, 1/2 tsp salt and black pepper to taste; pour mixture over eggplant slices.
9. Arrange the remaining eggplant slices over the beef mixture.
10. PREPARE THE CHEESE SAUCE: Melt the butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, 1/2 tsp salt and pepper to taste; gradually stir in half and half or milk, cook and stir over medium heat until thick and bubbly.
11. In a small bowl, beat egg; stir in some of the hot sauce, then add egg to sauce mixture, mix well; add in Parmesan cheese, and stir again.
12. Pour the cheese sauce over mixture in baking dish.
13. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 45 minutes.
14. Cut into squares.

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