Greek Pastitsio

Pastitsio, also known as Greek Lasagna, is a delicious dish that is sure to satisfy anyone’s pasta craving. This delectable creation consists of layers of perfectly cooked penne pasta combined with a meat sauce. The meat sauce bursting with spicy flavours gives the dish an excellent touch and creates a harmonious connection between the pasta and the sauce. But what sets Pastitsio apart is the addition of a creamy custard topping. It’s a little rich but worth it.

We need:

0.5 kg macaroni
4 tablespoons butter (ghee)
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
salt and pepper
3 eggs

Meat Sauce

1 large onion
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoons butter (ghee)
0.680 kg ground beef or lamb
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/2 cup of dry white wine
1/2 cup broth
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon sugar
salt and pepper

Cream Sauce

1/3 cup butter (ghee)
1/2 cup flour
3 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
salt and pepper

Procedure:

Cook macaroni in boiling salted water until tender, drain. Melt butter and pour over macaroni. Add 1/2 cup of the cheese, the nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste and toss well. Let it cool down and put it in the fridge for 30 minutes. Add eggs and toss again. Set aside.

Make meat sauce:
Saute onion and garlic in butter, add meat and brown. Add remaining sauce ingredients, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Make cream sauce:
Melt butter in a saucepan, stir in flour and cook gently for 2 minutes. Add milk all at once and bring to a boil gently, stirring. Add nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste. Cool slightly and add beaten egg. Add 1/2 cup of cream sauce to the meat sauce. Butter a 13″ x 9″ x 2″ baking dish. Spoon half of the prepared macaroni in the bottom and top with meat sauce. Cover with remaining macaroni. Pour on cream sauce and spread to cover the macaroni. Sprinkle on remaining cheese and bake at 180 C for 50 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting into squares and serving.

Nutmeg – Property – Pungent, warm; spleen, stomach and large intestine meridians entered.
Actions – Astringe intestines to check diarrhoea, warm the middle and promote the flow of qi.
Indications
A. Chronic diarrhoea and dysentery
B. Distending pain in the stomach due to cold, vomiting and anorexia

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