Authentic Greek Moussaka

Ingredients for the recipe

  • For the vegetables
    3 potatoes
    2 zucchinis, medium
    2 eggplants
    salt
    pepper
     
  • For the ground meat
    1 onion
    2 tablespoon(s) olive oil, for sautéing
    1 clove(s) of garlic
    1 tablespoon(s) thyme
    3 pinches granulated sugar
    1/2 teaspoon(s) ground cloves
    1 level teaspoon(s) cinnamon
    1 tablespoon(s) tomato paste
    500 g ground beef
    400 g canned tomatoes
    salt
    pepper
    1/2 bunch parsley
    1/2 bunch basil
     
  • For the béchamel sauce
    100 g butter
    100 g all-purpose flour
    750 ml whole milk
    salt
    pepper, ground
    1 pinch ground nutmeg
    100 g parmesan cheese, grated
    3 egg yolks
     

Recipe preparations

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.

For the ground meat
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, cloves, cinnamon and sugar. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until they caramelize nicely.
Add the ground meat and break it up with a wooden spoon. Sauté until golden brown.
Add the tomato paste and sauté so that it loses its bitterness.
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.

For the 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 180* C (350* F) Fan.
In a 25×32 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.
When ready, remove from oven and allow to cool.
Serve with fresh herbs and olive oil.