Eggplant and beef Moussaka paired with Sisters Run Shiraz

Ingredients

3 medium (1-pounds) eggplants, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 ¾ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
2 1/2 teaspoons Itlaian seasoning
1 pound ground beef
1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
4 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons dried oregano
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
½ cup (4 ounces) dry red wine
1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 ½ cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
2 ounces low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 1/2 cup)
1 large egg
2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/2 cup)

Directions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 475°F. Arrange eggplant rounds evenly on 2 rimmed baking sheets, overlapping rounds slightly. Lightly brush both sides of eggplant rounds evenly with 5 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon salt. Roast in preheated oven until tender, deeply browned, and charred in spots, about 25 minutes, flipping and unstacking eggplant rounds so they are in an even layer halfway through cook time. Remove from oven. Reduce oven temperature to 400°F.

Step 2: Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium-high. Add beef and cinnamon stick; cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up lamb, until lamb just begins to brown, about 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, hold beef mixture in pan; pour off 1 tablespoon drippings, and discard. Add garlic, tomato paste, oregano, Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper to pan; cook, stirring often, until mixture is fragrant and garlic softens, about 2 minutes. Add wine; cook, stirring constantly, until almost completely reduced, about 30 seconds. Stir in crushed tomatoes and 1 1/4 teaspoons salt. Bring to a vigorous simmer over medium-high. Reduce heat to medium; simmer, stirring often, until mixture thickens, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Discard cinnamon stick.

Step 3: Stir together ricotta, mozzarella, egg, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl until combined. Set aside.

Step 4: Layer half of roasted eggplant in bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish. Spread lamb mixture evenly over eggplant. Top with remaining eggplant. Spread ricotta mixture evenly over eggplant; sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake at 400°F until cheese is browned, about 30 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes.

Paired with Sister's Run Shiraz

Adapted from Food & Wine September 2021

Eggplant and beef Moussaka paired with Sisters Run Shiraz

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