Moussaka Burgers

By Susan52

Ingredients

• For the tomato sauce:
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 cups tomato (fresh or canned), pureed
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• salt and pepper to taste
• For the bechamel cheese sauce:
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup graviera or gruyere or parmigiano reggiano (parmsan), grated
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• One eighth teaspoon cayenne
• salt and pepper to taste
• For the burgers:
• 1 1/4 pounds ground beef or lamb
• 1/4 cup onion, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 slices eggplant
• 4 buns

Details

Servings 4
Preparation time 25mins
Adapted from closetcooking.com

Preparation

Step 1

For the tomato sauce:

Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat, add the onion and cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes.

Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about a minute.

Add the pureed tomato, oregano, cinnamon, allspice, salt and pepper and simmer until it thickens, about 5 minutes.

For the bechamel cheese sauce:

Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat and cook until it turns a light golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.

Add the flour and simmer until it turns a light golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.

Add the milk and simmer until it thickens, about 5 minutes.

Add the cheese and let it melt.

Season with nutmeg, cayenne, salt and pepper to taste.

For the burgers:

Mix the meat, onion, cinnamon, allspice, salt and pepper, form patties and grill or pan-fry over medium-high heat (or broil) until cooked, about 3-5 minutes per side.

Brush the eggplant with oil and grill or pan-fry over medium-high heat (or broil) until tender, about 5 minutes.
11.Lightly toast the buns, assemble the burgers with the eggplant, patties, tomato sauce and cheese sauce and enjoy!