Ingredients
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1 lb russet potato (peeled, sliced 1/4 inch thick)
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4 tablespoons olive oil
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salt
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black pepper
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2/3 cup unsalted butter
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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6 cups milk, hot
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coarse salt
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black pepper
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1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
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6 whole eggs, beaten to mix
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3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing eggplant
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1 1/2 lbs lamb, ground
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2 medium onions, chopped
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3 garlic cloves, chopped
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1/2 cup dry red wine
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2 teaspoons Greek oregano, dried
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1 teaspoon cinnamon
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56 ounces Italian-style tomatoes, chopped, drained
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1 tablespoon tomato paste
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1 pinch ground nutmeg
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1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Potatoes:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Toss the potatoes with the olive oil in a large bowl.
- Put them in a single layer on a baking sheet and season to taste.
- Roast until soft and starting to brown, about 35 minutes.
- Béchamel Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add flour and cook, stirring, about 2 minutes until it starts bubbling but does not color.
- Gradually whisk in the hot milk.
- Continue whisking for about 6 to 8 minutes until it thickens.
- Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
- Put the eggs in a large bowl.
- Whisk the béchamel sauce into the eggs.
- Continue whisking for a few minutes until the béchamel has cooled slightly (enough so that the eggs won't curdle).
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap.
- Make sure to place wrap directly on the surface of the sauce so a skin does not form.
- Set aside.
- Lamb:
- Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
- Add lamb and sauté until cooked through, breaking up with back of spoon, about 6 minutes.
- Add onion and garlic and sauté until tender, about 6 minutes.
- Add wine, cayenne pepper, and oregano and cook 2 minutes.
- Stir in cinnamon, tomatoes, tomato paste and nutmeg.
- Reduce heat to medium.
- Cover and simmer until sauce is very thick and reduced to about 6 cups, stirring occasionally, about 60-70 minutes.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, preheat the grill on medium-high heat.
- Brush the eggplant slices with oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill until cooked through and golden, about 2 minutes per side.
- Set aside.
- To Assemble:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Coat a 14x10x2-inch glass baking dish with oil.
- Arrange potatoes in bottom of dish.
- Arrange half of eggplant slices over potatoes.
- Pour half of lamb sauce over.
- Arrange another layer of eggplant slices on top.
- Pour remaining sauce over.
- Pour béchamel sauce over moussaka, covering completely.
- Bake moussaka uncovered until bubbling around edges, about 1 hour or until topping is softly set and browned.
- Transfer baking dish to rack and let rest 20 minutes before slicing.