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I recommend making the meat sauce a day ahead of putting together the Moussaka, so the flavors have a chance to meld.
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For the meat sauce:
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Finely chop the onion, pepper, carrots and celery and garlic (I used my mini chopper).
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In a large pot, saute them in butter and olive oil until soft.
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Add ground beef and pork and break the meat up into small pieces it browns.
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Add all the spices except bay leaves, and simmer for a couple of minutes.
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Add wine, tomatoes and bay leaves and then simmer on low for at least an hour, stirring occasionally and breaking up the tomatoes.
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You want most of the liquid to be absorbed.
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For the vegetables:
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Preheat the oven to 350F.
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Spray a couple of baking sheets with cooking spray.
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Wash eggplant and potatoes and slice them in 1/2-inch wide rounds (peel them if you want to, but I didnt).
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Sweat the eggplant for a few minutes by laying it out on paper towels and lightly salting with kosher salt.
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(This helps absorb some of the excess moisture.)
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Pat dry with paper towels.
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Put the potatoes and eggplant in a large bowl (I did them separately), add some olive oil and stir around to coat.
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Arrange on baking sheets in a single layer and cook for about 25 minutes in the oven.
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Eggplant should be tender, and the potatoes should be lightly browned.
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(I cooked them in separate pans.)
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Set aside once cooked.
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For the bechamel cheese sauce:
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Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat.
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Whisk in flour, stirring until smooth.
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Add milk, salt and nutmeg and bring to a boil.
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Simmer for a couple of minutes, whisking constantly.
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Add more milk if the sauce is too thick.
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Whisk in the cheese.
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Turn off heat and allow the sauce to cool a bit, then whisk in the eggs.
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To assemble:
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Preheat oven to 350F.
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Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray.
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Layer: 1/2 of the potatoes and eggplant 1/2 of the meat sauce 1/2 of the bechamel cheese sauce
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Repeat.
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Sprinkle grated parmigiano reggiano over the top.
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Bake for 45 minutes to an hour.
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The top should be golden brown.
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Allow to sit for 5 minutes or so after it comes out of the oven and then dish it up!
