Classic Moussaka (The Best)

Ingredients

• Vegetables

  • 1 ¾ lb (800 g) white potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch (3 mm) slices on a mandoline (about 4 medium potatoes)
  • 6 tbsp (90 ml) olive oil
  • 2 medium eggplants, cut into ½-inch (1 cm)
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 ½ tsp dried oregano

• Meat Filling

  • 1 ½ lb (675 g) ground lamb or medium-lean ground beef
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
  • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) tomato paste
  • 2 tsp sweet paprika
  • ½ cup (125 ml) dry white wine
  • 1 can (28 oz/796 ml) whole plum tomatoes

• Béchamel

  • 6 tbsp (85 g) butter
  • ½ cup (75 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ cups (625 ml) milk
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½ cup (35 g) fresh Pecorino cheese, grated
  • 2 egg yolks