LAMB, FETA AND EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) LASAGNA

Steps:

• Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• Sprinkle both sides of the eggplant slices with salt and pepper, then place the slices in a large colander, then weight it down with a heavy bowl, let drain about 1 hour.
• Remove from the colander and pat slices dry.
• Heat the oven to broiler heat and place rack 4 inches from heat.
• Arrange the eggplant slices in one layer on a baking sheet and brush with oil.
• Broil eggplant slices until golden (about 3 minutes).
• To make the lamb meat sauce (this can be made up to 2 days ahead) In a large skillet or a heavy bottomed pot heat olive oil, then add in onions, garlic, oregano and chili flakes; sauté for about 3-4 minutes or until softened.
• Add in lamb and cook stirring until the lamb is no longer pink (about 5-6 minutes).
• Add in tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, paste, cinnamon, allspice, seasoning salt and pepper; simmer uncovered for about 1-1/4 hours, breaking up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon and stirring occasionally.
• To make the white sauce; in a heavy saucepan melt butter over medium-low heat, then whisk in flour until smooth; cook whisking for 3 minutes.
• Slowly add/whisk in half and half cream and cayenne (if using) whisking continuously until thick (about 4-5 minutes).
• Add in egg, whisking vigorously and simmer whisking for 1 minute.
• Add in Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper (this sauce can be made, cooled to room temperate covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated up to 2 days ahead).
• Set oven to 375°F.
• Pour about 1 cup of the lamb sauce into the bottom of the 13 x 9-inch dish (the sauce will not cover bottom completely).
• Cover the sauce with 3 cooked lasagna noodles, make certain they DO NOT touch each other.
• Spread about 1-1/2 cups meat sauce over the lasagna sheets.
• Top with 1-2 broiled eggplant slices over the noodles.
• Gently spread about 1/2 cup white sauce over the eggplant, then sprinkle with about 1/3 cup finely crumbled feta cheese.
• Make 2 more layers in the same manner, beginning and ending with the lasagna sheets.
• Spread the remaining white sauce evenly over the top pasta layer, making certain that the pasta is completely covered.
• Top/sprinkle with remaining feta cheese.
• Cover the dish tightly with foil, tenting slightly to prevent foil from touching the top layer.
• Bake (second-lowest oven rack) for about 30 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake for about 10-15 minutes more, or until the top is bubbling.
• Remove and set oven to broiler heat.
• Delicious!