Ingredients: |
Ingredients: EGGPLANT LAYER: 3 large eggplants Pinch of Celtic sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Coconut oil or butter
MEAT LAYER: 1/2 medium onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 lemon, sliced in thin circles 1 handful fresh oregano leaves, chopped 2 handfuls fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped 1 1/2 pounds ground lamb or grass fed beef 2 cups finely chopped mushrooms 1 cinnamon stick 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1 (16-ounce) Tomato Sauce
CHEESE SAUCE: 4 TBS Butter 1/2 cup beef broth 2 eggs, separated 8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled 1 to 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan Pinch of nutmeg
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Directions: |
Directions:To prepare the eggplants: Cut off the stems, remove the skin with a vegetable peeler, and cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Season all the pieces of eggplant with salt and pepper on both sides. Coat a large skillet with oil and heat over medium flame. Fry the eggplant in a single layer, turning once, until brown on both sides. Drain the eggplant as they cook on a paper towel-lined platter. OR Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare eggplant into 1/2 inch thick slices, lay on greased cookie sheet, sprinkle with salt and bake in oven for 15 minutes or until soft. Meat Layer: Add a little more oil to the pan and toss in the onion, garlic, lemon slices, oregano, and parsley. Cook and stir until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the ground lamb and mushrooms (this will “lighten” the dish) stirring to break up the meat; season with salt and pepper, and toss in the cinnamon stick. Stir in the tomato sauce. Simmer until the liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat. In a saucepan, combine 4 TBS butter and broth; cook over low heat. Beat egg yolks, and combine with cheese and nutmeg; add to saucepan. Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into sauce. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of a 9 by 13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish with 1/3 of the eggplant slices; they should completely cover the bottom. Spread 1/2 of the meat sauce over the eggplant, evening it out with a spatula. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the cheese sauce. Repeat the layers again, ending with a final layer of eggplant. Cover the top with a nice even layer of Parmesan cheese. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until the top is golden. Let cool 10 minutes before serving. Makes 8 servings. |