Traditional Pastitsio “Greek Lasagna” Recipe: Serves 12-14, easily could be halved 1 kilo (~2 lbs.) lean ground beef 3 medium white onion, chopped 1/4 cup EVOO 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 bay leaves 1 tsp. Greek oregano salt and pepper 1 T. tomato paste 1 can crushed tomatoes 1/4 cup dry white wine 1-2 all spice berry 1/2 -1 tsp. cinnamon 1 pkg. pastitsio or bucantini noodles (substitute just penne would work too) 1/2 – 3/4 cup Kefalotyri (Ramano or another hard cheese) Saute onions in oil on medium heat for about 10 minutes, add the garlic and bay leaves and cook another 5 minutes. Add the beef and clove(s) and raise the heat to high, continuing to cook until the meat is cooked, about 15-20 minutes. Drain the excess fat and remove the berry(s). Add the wine and tomato paste, turning down the heat back to medium – medium high. Cook until almost all the wine has cooked off, then add the can of tomatoes, salt and pepper, cinnamon, and oregano. Turn off heat and let rest. Cook your noodles in a large pot of salted water until al dente, with a slight bit or firmness remaining (about 10-12 minutes). Béchamel Sauce Recipe: 1 stick butter (~100-125g.) 1 cup AP flour 10 cups warm whole milk 8 eggs, room temperature 1 cup grated hard cheese (vlahotyri, romano, parmesan, ect) salt and pepper 3/4 – 1 tsp. nutmeg More hard cheese to grate on top Add butter to a medium large saucepan and melt on medium heat. Add flour and whisk constantly until turns a golden brown, about 5-7 minutes depending on your heat. Continue whisking briskly while you steadily stream in your warm milk making a nice roux. Make sure you do not have any lumps, if you start to see them form simply whisk faster (you can use a mixer if you have a whisking beater). Now, bring to a slight boil while stirring with a wooden spoon. You want your roux to thicken but not turn into a batter. Remove from heat and cool slightly for 5 minutes. Whisk all of your eggs together and slowly stream them into your roux, mixing quickly to avoid scrambling. Now, add your cheese and seasonings. Once everything is ready, you can preheat your oven to 190°/375° and assemble your dish. Lightly oil your large baking dish and mix 1 ladle of your béchamel sauce into your meat mix and 3 ladles into your drained pasta. Add enough sauce to coat the bottom of your dish and then add 1/2 of your noodles. Follow with 1/2 of your meat and then repeat with remaining noodles and sauce. Top with the remaining béchamel sauce and grated cheese. Bake in a hot oven for 45-60 minutes. You want your edges to be bubbly and the cheese to be golden brown. Rest at least 30 minutes before serving to help set-up and make easier to dish out and hold form!!! Make for a large gathering, half for a family dinner, or make 2 and freeze one for later!
Posted on: Sun, 02 Feb 2014 03:53:33 +0000