Moussaka on the Grill

Name: Moussaka on the Grill
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H50M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H45M0.000S
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds eggplant, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices; Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper; Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling; 1 pound ground beef (or 8 ounces ground beef and 8 ounces ground lamb); 1 large yellow or red onion, peeled and diced; 5 cloves garlic, sliced; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 cup red wine; 2 fresh bay leaves; 1 cinnamon stick; Small bunch fresh oregano; One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 2 1/2 cups whole milk; 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg; 1 cup grated pecorino; 2 large egg yolks; Zest of 1 lemon; Pecorino, for serving; Fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

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Level: Intermediate

Total: 1 hr 45 min (includes cooling time)
Active: 50 min

Yield: 6 servings

Level: Intermediate

Total: 1 hr 45 min (includes cooling time)
Active: 50 min

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Eggplant and Meat Sauce:

1 1/2 pounds eggplant, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

1 pound ground beef (or 8 ounces ground beef and 8 ounces ground lamb)

1 large yellow or red onion, peeled and diced

5 cloves garlic, sliced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 cup red wine

2 fresh bay leaves

1 cinnamon stick

Small bunch fresh oregano

One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

Bechamel Sauce:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups whole milk

1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1 cup grated pecorino

2 large egg yolks

Zest of 1 lemon

Serving:

Pecorino, for serving

Fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Directions

Prepare a grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the hot coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only to medium-high heat.
For the eggplant and meat sauce: Season the eggplant slices on both sides with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Turn to coat. Grill the eggplant slices straight over direct heat, flipping once, until tender and lightly golden brown on both sides, 5 to 7 minutes. You can move them from direct to indirect heat as needed. Transfer the eggplant slices to a baking sheet or a plate and set aside.
Place a 6-quart heavy bottomed saucepan over direct heat. Add a few tablespoons of olive oil along with the ground meat to the saucepot and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring to break up the meat, until well browned and caramelized, about 5 minutes. Then add the onions and garlic with a pinch of salt and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook until rust colored, another minute. Add the wine and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost completely evaporated, about 5 minutes. Using butcher's twine, tie the bay leaves, cinnamon stick and oregano into a bundle. Add the crushed tomatoes and the spice bundle to the pot. Move the pot over indirect heat and simmer until thickened, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and discard the spice bundle.
For the bechamel sauce: In a heavy bottomed saucepot over direct heat, melt the butter. When butter has melted, whisk in the flour and cook until it forms a smooth paste, 3 to 4 minutes. Slowly whisk in half of the milk and once the mixture is smooth with no lumps, whisk in the remaining half and the nutmeg. Bring to a gentle boil and cook, stirring often, until thick and velvety, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the pecorino. Set aside to cool slightly, then whisk in the egg yolks and lemon zest.
To assemble: Place the eggplant slices on the bottom of an enameled dish or cast-iron and cover with the meat sauce. Pour the bechamel all over the top, spreading it out into an even layer. Place over indirect heat, cover the grill and cook until light golden brown and bubbly on top, about 40 minutes.
Remove from the grill and let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Grate pecorino over the top and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
(Alternatively, you can bake the moussaka in a 400 degrees F oven for 45 minutes.)