Greek-Style Lamb and Eggplant Lasagne
- 2 pounds eggplant (about 2 medium)
- olive oil for brushing
- 2 large onions, chopped (about 2 cups)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds ground lamb (preferably 10% fat)
- a 28- to 32-ounce can whole tomatoes with juice
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- an 8-ounce package feta, crumbled (about 1 1/2 cups)
- twelve 7- by 3 1/2-inch sheets dry no-boil lasagne pasta
- Cut eggplant lengthwise into 1/3-inch-thick slices and sprinkle slices on both sides with salt.
- Arrange eggplant in a large colander and weight it with a heavy bowl.
- Drain eggplant 1 hour.
- Remove bowl and pat eggplant dry.
- Set broiler rack so that eggplant will be about 4 inches from heat and preheat broiler.
- Arrange eggplant in one layer in oiled shallow baking pans and brush with oil.
- Broil eggplant until golden, about 3 minutes on each side.
- In a large heavy non-stick skillet cook onions and garlic in oil over moderate heat, stirring, until softened.
- Add lamb and cook, stirring to break up, until it is no longer pink, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in remaining meat sauce ingredients and salt and pepper to taste and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes.
- Meat sauce may be made 3 days ahead, cooled completely, and chilled, covered.
- In a heavy saucepan melt butter over moderately low heat and whisk in flour until smooth.
- Cook roux, whisking, 3 minutes.
- Whisk in milk in a stream and salt and pepper to taste and simmer, whisking occasionally, 5 minutes, or until thick.
- Whisk in egg, whisking vigorously, and simmer sauce, whisking, 1 minute.
- White sauce may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, its surface covered with plastic wrap.
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- Pour 1 cup meat sauce into a flame-proof baking dish, 13 by 9 by 2 inches (sauce will not cover bottom completely), and cover with 3 lasagne sheets, making sure they do not touch each other.
- Spread about 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over pasta and arrange 1 layer broiled eggplant on top.
- Gently spread about 1/2 cup white sauce over eggplant and sprinkle with about 1/3 cup feta.
- Make 2 more layers in same manner, beginning and ending with pasta.
- Spread remaining white sauce evenly over top pasta layer, making sure pasta is completely covered, and sprinkle with remaining feta.
- Cover dish tightly with foil, tenting slightly to prevent foil from touching top layer, and bake in middle of oven 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake lasagne 10 minutes more, or until top is bubbling.
- Set broiler rack so that lasagne will be about 4 inches from heat and preheat broiler.
- Broil lasagna 1 to 2 minutes, or until golden.
- Let lasagne stand 5 minutes before serving.
eggplant, olive oil, onions, garlic, olive oil, ground lamb, tomatoes, tomato paste, cinnamon, ground allspice, butter, flour, milk, egg, feta, boil
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/greek-style-lamb-and-eggplant-lasagne-13478 (may not work)