Lamb Pastitsio

Ingredients:

for the sauce:
one onion, diced
ii cloves garlic, finely minced
one 3/4 lb reason lamb
28 oz canned whole tomatoes, coarsely chopped
one bay leaf
one teaspoon crushed rosemary
4 sprigs worth of thyme leaves
one teaspoon cinnamon
one teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon reason cloves
1/4 teaspoon reason nutmeg
ii tablespoons merlot vinegar
bounding main salt
freshly reason dark pepper


for the pasta:
one lb ziti (or if you lot tin detect it, Macaroni Pastitsio no. 2)
iii egg whites, beaten
iii tablespoons grated kefalotyri cheese (or Parmesan)

for the béchamel:
v tablespoons butter
4 cups milk
1/2 loving cup flour
iii egg yolks, beaten
3/4 loving cup grated kefalotyri cheese (or Parmesan)
pinch nutmeg
bounding main salt
freshly reason dark pepper


Directions:

Saute the onion in addition to garlic inward (Greek!) olive fossil oil until the onion is translucent. Add the lamb in addition to run on to saute until the lamb is fully cooked, breaking upward whatever large pieces every bit it cooks. Drain off excess fat. Add the remaining sauce ingredients in addition to simmer, stirring occasionally, until virtually of the liquid has evaporated. Set aside.

Meanwhile, create the pasta to slightly less than al dente. Allow to cool, in addition to thence toss amongst the egg whites in addition to cheese. Set aside.

In a large saucepan, melt the butter for the béchamel. Whisk inward the flour in addition to when smooth, add together the milk. Whisk to comprise the flour mixture. Cook on low, whisking occasionally until thickened. Remove from heat. Whisk inward remaining ingredients. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350.

Pour one-half of the pasta into a ii 1/2 quart casserole. Top amongst one-half of the meat sauce. Press the mixture downwards firmly in addition to brand certain the sauce goes to each edge. Top amongst one-half of remaining pasta in addition to thence all of the remaining sauce. Arrange the remaining pasta on occur of the sauce in addition to and thence occur amongst the béchamel.

Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the béchamel is golden. Loosely tent amongst foil in addition to let to sit down 20-30 minutes prior to serving.

My thoughts:

I've seen pastitsio described every bit "Greek lasagna" in addition to it is kind of apt (although "Greek Baked Ziti" would hold out fifty-fifty to a greater extent than so) exactly does kind of downplay how tasty the dish on its own. It is a substantial dish, amount of meat in addition to cheese in addition to eggs exactly oddly, the finished dish isn't terribly heavy. Not picnic nutrient exactly non a "I postulate to accept a nap later this" dish past times whatever means. It is wonderfully savory amongst a rich sauce. I recollect it was fifty-fifty amend the side past times side twenty-four hours than it was fresh, a bully trait if you lot postulate a make-ahead dinner option. There are a few steps exactly each is easy, I promise. Perfect for a weekend repast or exceptional occasion.