Ingredients

  • 3 medium or 2 large red potatoes, sliced 1/4-inch thick
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 medium eggplant
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 8 ounces ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 5 tablespoons flour
  • 4 cups milk, heated to very warm in microwave
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Vegetable oil, for greasing
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan

Method

  • For the vegetables: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cook the potato slices for 5 minutes (do not cook longer) in heavily salted, boiling water.
  • Meanwhile, slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch slices, brush with the olive oil and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoons salt and the pepper on both sides.
  • Place on a baking sheet and cook in the oven, 6 to 7 minutes per side.
  • Set aside the potato and eggplant slices for assembly.
  • For the meat sauce: In a large saucepan, sweat the onions with some salt in the olive oil over medium heat.
  • After 5 minutes, add the ground beef and cook until golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes.
  • Add the oregano, cinnamon, nutmeg and garlic, and cook until fragrant.
  • Turn the heat up to high, and then deglaze the pan with the red wine, allowing to bubble and reduce for 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Add the tomato sauce and lower the heat to simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Remove the sauce from the heat and set aside.
  • For the bechamel: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and add the flour, whisking to make a paste.
  • Whisk constantly for 2 minutes, allowing the mixture to bubble.
  • Add the warm milk slowly, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
  • Once the sauce starts to come to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cook until thickened, about 10 minutes, whisking very frequently.
  • Add the salt, pepper and nutmeg, and set aside.
  • For assembling the moussaka: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Before assembling, taste each of the 4 layers and confirm that they are properly seasoned.
  • Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with vegetable oil.
  • Lay out the potato slices, pressing gently into the pan.
  • Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons of the Parmesan.
  • Place the eggplant on top of the potatoes.
  • Sprinkle with another 3 tablespoons of the Parmesan.
  • Spoon the meat sauce on top, followed by 3 more tablespoons of Parmesan.
  • Finish with pouring over the bechamel and top with the last 3 tablespoons of Parmesan.
  • Cover with foil (sprayed lightly with vegetable oil) and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes.