Pastitsio

Being Greek, I typically look down on any variation of Greek food...yes, I'm a food snob when it comes to Greek cooking! I have spent the past year trying to perfect a Pastitsio recipe that is "thoulie safe"...I think I finally have a winner! It's obviously not identical to the original, but it sure is good!!

Meat mixture
4 tablespoons Spectrum Shortening (100% Palm)
1/2 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/4 lbs ground beef
1 can (14 oz) stewed tomatoes
3/4 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
dash salt
dash pepper
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cloves

In a large skillet, melt 2 T of the shortening; saute onion & garlic until aroma is released. Add remaining shortening and ground beef; break up beef with wooden spoon and brown. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, and spices to meat. Simmer 20 minutes or until most of liquid has been absorbed. Mixture should be thick.

Macaroni
3/4 lb rice pasta (preferably ziti or ther thick noodle)
1/4 cup olive oil
3 large eggs
1 cup grated cheese (I use a combination of Kasseri and drunkin Goat or Halloumi and Drunkin Goat)

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and add oil, toss. In a large bowl, beat eggs well and add macaroni and cheese.
Grease 13x9 pan and poor pasta mixture. Top with meat mixture.

Sauce
3 tablespoons GF all purpose flour or acceptable flour (I like oat)
2 cups rice milk
1 egg
pinch nutmeg
dash salt

Put flour in microwave safe mixing bowl and add 1/4 cup milk. Whisk until smooth. Slowly whick the remaining milk and egg and spices. Microwave on high power 2 minutes, then whisk until smooth (may look curdled, but keep whisking!). Microwave a total of 3 more minutes, stopping and whisking after every minute until thick and bubbling (may need 1 extra minute, depending on power of your microwave).

Pour sauce over macaroni & meat layers. I like to sprinkle a little bit of Kasseri cheese on the top. Put in a 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes (or until lightly browned and the sauce has thickened slightly).