Greek Lasagna

Greek Lasagna is a delightful twist on the traditional Italian version, featuring layers of tender eggplant, spiced ground lamb, and creamy béchamel sauce. This Halal dish is a comforting meal, perfect for sharing with loved ones.

Ingredients

• Eggplant - 1 medium, sliced
• Ground lamb - 250 grams
• Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Tomato paste - 2 tablespoons
• Canned diced tomatoes - 200 grams
• Cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon
• Oregano - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Lasagna noodles - 6 sheets (oven-ready)
• Milk - 300 ml
• Butter - 30 grams
• All-purpose flour - 30 grams
• Nutmeg - a pinch
• Grated cheese (Kefalotyri or Parmesan) - 50 grams

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Sprinkle salt on the sliced eggplant and let it sit for 20 minutes to draw out moisture.
3. Rinse and pat dry the eggplant slices, then pan-fry them in olive oil until golden brown. Set aside.
4. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until translucent.
5. Add the ground lamb to the skillet, cooking until browned. Stir in tomato paste, diced tomatoes, cinnamon, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
6. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add milk, whisking continuously until thickened. Season with nutmeg and salt.
7. In a baking dish, layer 2 sheets of lasagna noodles, followed by half of the lamb mixture, half of the eggplant, and half of the béchamel sauce. Repeat the layers and finish with remaining béchamel sauce on top.
8. Sprinkle grated cheese over the top layer.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 600
• Protein: 30 g
• Carbs: 45 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 80 mg
• Total Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in protein from the lamb and dairy, supporting muscle health.
• Contains fiber from eggplant and tomatoes, aiding in digestion.

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