Sounds all posh and expensive, but really it's not.

 

Ingredients:-

 

750g/1lb 10½oz Lamb mince (Beef and Pork worked in ours)

1 Onion, finely chopped

2 Garlic cloves, grated

1 tsp dried Oregano

1½ tsp dried Mint

½  Cinnamon stick. grated

1 tbsp plain flour (Gluten free if required)

400g tin chopped Tomatoes

2 tbsp Tomato purée

2 Aubergines, cut into 0.5cm slices

1 tbsp salt, plus extra for seasoning

100ml/3½fl oz olive oil

500g/1lb 2oz Maris Piper Potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced

freshly ground black pepper

 

For the white sauce:-

 

Margarine

Flour

Milk

Salt & Pepper

Grated Italian style Cheese

 

 

Method:-

 

(1) Put the Mince, Onion, Garlic, Oregano, Mint, and Cinnamon in a large heavy-based frying pan and cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring to break up the meat.

(2) Stir in the flour and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Add the Tomatoes and Tomato purée and bring to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mince is tender and the sauce has thickened. Season again if needed and set aside.

(3) Meanwhile, place the aubergine slices in a colander and sprinkle with a tablespoon of salt. Set aside for 10 minutes.

(4) Rinse the aubergine slices under cold running water and pat dry with a clean tea towel. Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a large heavy-based frying pan and fry the aubergines for 2–3 minutes on each side, adding more oil when necessary. Remove from the pan and set aside to drain on kitchen paper.

(5) Cook the potatoes in boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain in a colander under running water until cold.

(6) Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.

(7) To make the white sauce, melt the butter in a large saucepan and stir in the flour. Cook for a few seconds, then gradually stir in the milk. Add half the Italian style Cheese. Simmer the sauce gently for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring regularly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

(8) Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the sauce to cool. When cooled, stir in the egg.

(9) Spoon one-third of the meat sauce into a shallow ovenproof dish large enough to hold 2.5 litres. Cover loosely with a third of the potatoes and then a third of the aubergines, just arrange them roughly on top. Repeat the layers twice more, finishing with the aubergines. Pour over the white sauce, making sure it covers everything in a thick, even layer. Sprinkle with the remaining grated Cheese. Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until deep golden-brown and bubbling.