Pastitsio

Today I will show you how to make one of Greece’s most popular, traditional and delicious dishes. We’re talking about Pastitsio, which comes originally from the ionic islands in Greece. You can say that Pastitsio is the Greek version of lasagna. There are many different kinds of Pastitsio, but today I will show you a very traditional one.

To make a Pastitsio you need much time (around one and a half hour), but you will see it’s worth it.

For around 6 servings (depends on how big you make the servings) you need:

·    8 ounces bucatini pasta or 8 ounces ziti pasta
·    3 tablespoons melted butter
·    1⁄3 cup grated parmesan cheese
·    1⁄3 cup milk
·    1 egg, beaten

·    0,5 kg ground beef
·    1⁄2 cup chopped onion
·    1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
·    1 teaspoon salt
·    1 teaspoon dried mint flakes (optional)
·    1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
·    1⁄8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
·    1⁄8 teaspoon pepper

·    4 tablespoons butter
·    4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
·    1⁄4 teaspoon salt
·    2 cups milk
·    1 egg, beaten
·    1⁄3 cup parmesan cheese

What you have to do:

1.    Boil water to cook the macaroni and drain them.
2.    Add to the in the meantime melted butter 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, 1/3 cup milk and the egg, set aside.
3.    Cook the ground beef and the onions in a large saucepan until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are soft then drain excess fat.
4.    Add a pinch of salt, the mint flakes (if you use them), cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper to the tomato sauce and set aside.
5.    In another pan melt 4 tablespoons butter then stir in flour and a bit salt. Slowly stir in the two cups of milk, pay attention that no lumps form by stirring well after each addition. Cook on medium high until the sauce starts to thicken, stir all the time and continue one more minute, then remove from the heat.
6.    Beat the egg in a small bowl then pour into cream sauce, stir briskly. Mix in the 1/3 cup parmesan cheese.
7.    Layer half of the pasta mixture in an "11 x 7" (or 2 quart) baking dish. Add the meat mixture evenly on top then the remaining pasta. Pour cream sauce over top, to cover completely.
8.    Bake, uncovered, at 180° C for about 40 minutes, or until hot and lightly browned. Wait for 10 minutes.

Enjoy your meal!