Moussaka via Panama

[Special Dietary Variations - Pending AER review.] Ingredients

1.5 lb baby multicolored potatoes

1 medium eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch slices 1 pint mushrooms

1.5 lb ground lamb or ground beef

1 yellow onion

1/2 head of garlic

2 plum tomatoes

1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

1 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 tablespoons oil, avocado preferred

3 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

4 cups milk

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Set potatoes into pot of boiling water on medium heat. Set timer for 20m.

2. Preheat oven to 450°.

3. Seed & chop tomatoes Dice eggplant Rough chop mushrooms Chop onion Peel & mince garlic

4. Remove par boiled potatoes (test to make sure one is soft enough to crush with a fork) Reserve 1.25 cups of the water for step 5.

5. In a large skillet, sauté the onion & garlic in oil on med-high until fragrant. Add the meat in and cook 7-9 minutes, mixing every minute or two. Drain any oil & juices (reserve in a jar & freeze for future use) Add tomatoes, tomato paste, 1.25 cups of potato water & set heat to medium.

6. In a sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat Stir in the flour 1/5 at a time until smooth Gradually whisk in the milk Bring to steaming while stirring constantly Add the nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon of salt while stirring Continue for 2-3 minutes until thickened into a sauce

7. Grease a baking pan - something around 13x9 to 15x10, ideally glass (if not glass, grease and then lay parchment paper to be sure or easy removal) Mix all herbs and salt into a blend.

8. Layer ingredients as follows 1st - Potatoes, crush with either a second pan or individually with a spatula 2nd - Sprinkle 1/2 spice blend evenly 3rd - Meat mixture 4th - Eggplant & Mushroom, flatten down with spatula 5th - Sprinkle Remaining spice blend

9. Bake until cooked through, about 20 minutes then reduce oven setting to 400°.

10. Top with bechamel sauce & sprinkle with mozzarella cheese Bake until bubbly and golden brown about 30 minutes

11. Let stand 20 minutes before serving.