Greek Lasagna Vegetarian Food

PASTITSIO (GREEK LASAGNA)

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the flour and then gradually whisk in the hot milk. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is smooth and thickened. Stir in the salt, remove from heat and let cool. When the sauce is lukewarm, whisk in the eggs. Set aside.
• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet. Add the onions and saute until softened and golden. Crumble the beef into the skillet and cook with the onions until the beef is browned. Stir in the cinnamon, salt and pepper. Stir in the water and tomato paste, and simmer for 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Cook ziti according to directions on the package. Drain and rinse with cool water. When pasta has cooled down, stir in the beaten eggs and 1½ teaspoons salt.
• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a deep 9x13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray. You really need a deep casserole dish for this recipe (deeper than the usual 9x13-inch pyrex).
• Scoop half of the pasta into the bottom of your prepared dish. Sprinkle generously with cheese. Spoon on the meat mixture to create an even layer; sprinkle with another layer of cheese. Scoop the remaining pasta on top of the meat and sprinkle with more cheese! Top with the cream sauce and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
• Bake 45 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and golden on top. Let sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before serving (but it is suggested that you refrigerate to let the layers set... and then warm up later to serve).

GREEK PASTITSIO RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cook the pasta to al dante according to package instructions. Be sure to add salt and olive oil to the boiling water. Drain and transfer pasta to 9 1/2" x 13" baking pan like this one. While still hot, drizzle pasta with a little more extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle grated Parmesan. Toss to combine. Set aside for now.
• Make the meat sauce. In a large pan or skillet like this one, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Saute onions until just golden, then add lean beef and garlic. Season with salt. Cook until meat is fully browned, tossing regularly and breaking up the meat with your wooden spoon (about 8 to 10 minutes). Carefully drain any excess liquid and return pan to heat. Add wine, crushed tomato, bay leaves, spices and pinch of sugar. Mix to combine. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes, then lower heat and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or so. Taste and adjust salt to your liking.
• While the meat sauce is cooking, prepare the bechamel. In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Cook until golden (if needed, added a little more olive oil). Gradually add the warmed milk, whisking continuously. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until smooth and thick. Add nutmeg.
• In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of the hot bechamel mixture with the 2 eggs in a small bowl. Then return all to the pan with the remaining bechamel mixture. Continue to stir or whisk the mixture bringing to a gentle boil for just 2 more minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Remove from heat and allow to cool and thicken a little more (you should have a creamy, thick and smooth bechamel sauce).
• Assemble the pastitsio. Top the cooked pasta with the meat sauce; smooth with a wooden spoon to fully cover the pasta. Now top the meat sauce with the bechamel topping. Again, smooth with your wooden spoon to cover the meat sauce evenly.
• Bake the pastitsio in 350 degrees F heated-oven for 1 hour until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside for 10 minutes before serving. Cut into square pieces and serve.

VEGETARIAN LASAGNA

Steps:

• For the sauce: Put the olive oil and garlic in a medium pot over low heat. Cook the garlic, stirring occasionally at first and more often as it colors, until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Raise the heat to medium-low, add the onions and a large pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and red pepper flakes, and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, bay leaves, basil sprig, thyme and 1 teaspoon salt, raise the heat to medium and bring the sauce to a lively simmer. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until quite thick (if you draw a spoon through the sauce, you'll see the bottom of the pot for a few seconds before the sauce fills back in), about 30 minutes. As the sauce thickens, turn the heat down a bit so the bottom doesn't scorch. Stir in the chopped basil. Let cool to room temperature before assembling the lasagna. (Makes 1 quart.)
• To assemble: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Squeeze the spinach in your hands to remove as much liquid as possible. Put it in a large bowl, and stir in the ricotta, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, the egg, 1 teaspoon salt and the nutmeg.
• Spread 3/4 cup of the tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Lay 3 lasagna noodles across the sauce (they won't touch). Spread 3/4 cup tomato sauce on top. Dollop 1/3 of the ricotta mixture (about 1 cup) across the sauce, and use the back of a spoon to spread it (it will smush into the tomato sauce, which is fine). Scatter 1 cup of the mozzarella on top.
• Repeat the layering 2 more times. Top with the last 3 noodles, spread the last 3/4 cup tomato sauce over them and scatter the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan over the top. Spray a large piece of foil with cooking spray, and cover the baking dish.
• Bake until the noodles are soft and the cheese has melted, about 40 minutes. Remove the foil, and continue to bake until the cheese is bubbling and the lasagna is slightly browned around the edges, about 15 minutes more. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

GREEK PASTITSIO RECIPE (GREEK LASAGNA WITH BéCHAMEL)

Steps:

• To prepare this traditional pastitsio recipe (pastichio), start with the meat sauce. Place a large pan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil, the chopped onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic, tomato paste and the beef. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and brown for 4-5 minutes. Pour in the red wine and wait to evaporate. Add the canned tomatoes, the sugar, cinnamon, clove, the bay leaf and season. Bring to the boil, turn the heat down and simmer with the lid on for about 30 minutes, until most of the juices have evaporated. (After the meat is cooked, discard the bay leaf, the clove and the cinnamon)
• Prepare the bechamel sauce for the pastitsio. Melt the butter in a large pan over low-medium heat. Add the flour whisking continuously to make a paste. Add warmed milk in small batches, whisking continuously in order to prevent your sauce from getting lumpy. If the sauce still needs to thicken, boil over low heat whilst continuing to stir. Remove the pan from the stove and add the egg yolks, salt, pepper, a pinch of nutmeg and the grated cheese (50g/ 1.7oz.). Whisk quickly, in order to prevent the eggs from turning an omelette! Season with salt to taste.
• Cook the pasta for the pastitsio 2-3 minutes less than the package instructions, so that they don't get mushy after turning out of the oven later. Drain the pasta and stir in the egg whites and the feta cheese (smashed with a fork) and mix gently with a spatula.
• For this pastitsio recipe you will need a large baking dish, approx. 25*35 cm / 10*14 inch. Butter the bottom and sides of a pan and assemble the pastitsio. Layer the pasta, top with the meat sauce and even out. Top the pastitsio with the bechamel sauce and smooth out with a spatula.
• Sprinkle the pastichio with grated cheese and bake in preheated oven at 180C (350F) Fan for about 40 minutes, until crust turns a light golden brown. Let the pastitsio cool down for a while before serving.

PASTITSIO - GREEK LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cook pasta and drain.
• While pasta is cooking, brown meat in heavy skillet, add onion and garlic and cook until soft.
• Mix in cinnamon and tomato sauce.
• In a saucepan, melt butter, whisk in flour and cook 1 minute, whisk in milk and simmer 20 minutes.
• Add beaten eggs and 1/4 cup parmesan to white sauce.
• In a buttered two quart casserole dish, add half pasta, top with meat mixture, add the rest of the pasta.
• Pour white sauce over the top.
• Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese.
• Bake 60 minutes.

GREEK LASAGNA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni noodles, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain, and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cook ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat until beef is evenly browned. Remove from heat, and drain grease. Stir in the tomatoes, feta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and cinnamon. Mix in pasta, and transfer to a large baking dish.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, mix together the milk and cornstarch until no lumps remain. Add butter, and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat, and pour the sauce over the mixture in the baking dish.
• Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, until the top is golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

PASTITSIO (GREEK LASAGNA)

Steps:

• 1. Saute onion in large skillet in butter till soft. Stir in ground beef till lightly browned season with salt, cinnamon & oregano. Stir in tomato puree, garlic & parsley. Cover & simmer gently for 20 minutes. Cook macaroni al dente; add a little salt.
• 2. Melt butter in pan and blend in flour (use a whisk to blend well).
• 3. Stir in milk & cook stirring constantly to make a thin white sauce. Beat egg yolks lightly in another dish. Dip out 1 cup of the sauce and pour it in a thin stream & stirring constantly into the yolk mixture until well blended. Pour mixture back into the rest of the sauce and stir for a few minutes over medium heat till it thickens. Add your nutmeg, salt and pepper.
• 4. Grease 9x13 casserole dish and then put in a thin layer of macaroni.
• 5. Next, layer with the meat sauce. Finish with layer of macaroni.
• 6. Pour the creamy sauce over all of it. Jiggle the pan so the sauce runs through all the layers and then sprinkle with the top with parmesan cheese.
• 7. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Put foil over the top if it starts to get to brown. Remove from oven and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before cutting and serving. Enjoy.
• 8. Slice into squares and serve.
• 9. May 14th, 2015 ---- Made up a pan of this for dinner.

EGGPLANT LASAGNA RECIPE

Steps:

• Season the eggplant slices on both sides with kosher salt and set aside for 20 to 30 minutes (if you don't have the time, this step can be optional).
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and position a rack in the middle.
• Wipe the eggplant slices very well with a paper towel (you want to dry it well and remove any excess salt), then arrange on lightly oiled baking sheet (or two if needed). Brush the top of the eggplant with extra virgin olive oil. Roast in the heated oven until the eggplant softens and becomes pliable (about 15 to 20 minutes or so).
• While the eggplant is roasting, prepare the ricotta filling. In a mixing bowl, beat the egg. Add the ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, ¼ Parmesan, garlic, oregano, spinach and chopped herbs. Add a small pinch of kosher salt and black pepper to your liking. Mix well to combine.
• Remove the eggplant from the oven. Lower the heat to 375 degrees F.
• Prepare a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Pour a bit of the pasta sauce (about ½ cup or so) and spread it out into one layer. Lay a few eggplant slices (anywhere from 4 to 6 and it's fine if they overlap a bit). Spread 1/2 of the ricotta filling, then spread a thin layer of the sauce. Repeat the process in the same pattern. Spread the final layer of sauce and follow with the remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup of Parmesan.
• Cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake in the heated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, then carefully uncover and return to the oven. Bake for another 10 to 20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the edges of the lasagna turn a nice golden brown.
• Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

PASTITSIO

Steps:

• Heat the oil in the pot
• Saute the onions and garlic
• Add the tomatoes, herbs, spices and salt and pepper and stir well
• Simmer until aromatic and thickened
• Turn off the heat
• Boil the pasta in saltwater until just cooked and drain
• Beat the two egg whites and add to the pasta along with the cheese and stir
• For the Bechamel, melt the butter in another pot or saucepan
• Add the flour and stir constantly with a whisk or wooden spoon until a smooth paste
• Gradually pour in the milk and whisk over heat until a thick creamy sauce is achieved
• Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg
• Add the eggs and 1/2 cup of cheese stirring constantly
• In a large, deep pan arrange half the pasta evenly inside
• Cover with the meat sauce
• Cover with the rest of the pasta
• Cover with the Bechamel sauce and garnish with the rest of the cheese
• Bake for approximately 1 hour or until Golden Brown

VEGETARIAN MOUSSAKA - CLASSIC GREEK CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Slice up your eggplant, then sprinkle it with a salt and leave it for 30 minutes. Pat it dry. Next brush with olive oil on both sides, place on baking sheet, season with pepper and roast on 400F for 12-15 minutes, until soft; Remove from the oven and let them cool;
• Slice up your zucchini, and season with salt and pepper. Brush with oil on both sides, and place on baking sheet and bake with eggplants for about 12-15 minutes; Remove from the oven and let them cool;
• Peel and slice potatoes and cook them in a slightly salted boiling water until fork tender for about 10 minutes; place them in a colander to discard the water and let them cool;
• To prepare your spinach/feta layer, start off by chopping some onions and garlic;
• In a skillet, heat up the olive oil, add onions and cook for 2-3 minutes, until translucent;
• Add garlic and cook for an additional minute;
• Add spinach and let it cook down until totally wilted;
• Then add fresh dill, salt, and pepper and set aside to cool off. This would be the time to adjust seasoning, but be careful with the salt as feta will add some saltiness to this mix.
• In a bowl beat 2 eggs, add feta, salt, and pepper;
• Once the spinach mixture is cooled, add it to the bowl, mix everything together and set it aside.
• To make a tomato sauce you'll start off the same way as above with spinach/feta layer:
• Heat up some olive oil, add onions and cook until translucent;
• Add garlic and cook for one more minute;
• Then add spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, & oregano;
• Add pureed tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper. Then cover and cook for approximately 20 minutes;
• Adjust seasoning (salt and pepper) as needed.
• In a skillet, melt butter; then add flour and whisk vigorously;
• Gradually start adding milk and mixing it in, until the sauce is smooth;
• Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg;
• Turn off the heat;
• Add Parmesan cheese and mix well;
• This would be the time to check for seasoning and adjust accordingly;
• Beat 2 eggs and 1 egg yolk and add them to the béchamel sauce, mixing thoroughly.
• Preheat the oven to 350F;
• Using a 9X13" casserole dish, brush it with olive oil or spray with cooking spray;
• Add slices of eggplant and top them with slices of zucchinis;
• Then add tomato sauce;
• Add another layer of eggplant;
• Add a layer of spinach/feta mix;
• Add sliced potatoes;
• Top it all of with your béchamel sauce;
• Sprinkle it with some more Parmesan Cheese;
• Bake it in the oven for 50-55, minutes until golden brown and bubbly;
• Let it cool off for about 20 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

GREEK LASAGNA-VEGETARIAN

Steps:

• In a saucepan, warm the olive oil briefly on medium heat. Add the onions and saute for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently until the onions have begun to release their juices. Stir in the garlic and marjoram and saute until the onions are translucent. Add tomatoes, cover, and bring to a simmer. Then reduce the heat to medium low, just enough to maintain a simmer. Add the olives, salt, and pepper. Add the dill just before assembling lasagna for best flavor.
• Preheat oven to 400*F. Lightly oil a large baking sheet.
• While the sauce gently simmers, lay the eggplant rounds on baking sheet. Brush them with olive oil. Bake, uncovered for about 15 minutes. Remove the eggplant from the oven and reduce the heat to 350*F.
• Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix the eggs, cottage cheese, fennel, and 1 cup of the feta cheese together and set aside.
• Lightly oil a 8"x10"x3" casserole dish. Evenly spread 2 cups of the tomato sauce in the bottom of the dish. Top with a layer of noodles and cover with 1 cup of the tomato sauce. Next, layer all of the eggplant rounds, 1 cup of the feta cheese, a second layer of noodles, and another cup of the sauce. Finish with all of the egg and cottage cheese mixture, a third layer of noodles, the rest of the sauce, and the remaining cup of feta cheese.
• Cover the lasagna with foil and bake for 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven, uncover the lasagna, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!