PASTITSIO

Directions

1. 1
   In a hot pan melt 4 ounces of butter, add ground chuck, chopped onion, salt, and pepper.
2. 2
   Add tomatoes and tomato sauce, bay leaf, and cinnamon and cook over medium flame for about 35 minutes.
3. 3
   Cook macaroni in boiling water, strain and put back in pot to keep warm.
4. 4
   Place a 1/4 of the grated cheese in a 11 by 14-inch pan, and then a layer with 1/3 of the pasta.
5. 5
   Continue until both ingredients are used up.
6. 6
   Spread on the meat sauce.
7. 7
   Mix the final layer, the Pastitsio Crema by mixing 4 ounces of melted, cooled butter and 3/4 cup of flour.
8. 8
   Heat 3 1/2 cups of milk and pour a little over flour and butter mixture then pour the rest of the mixture into the milk.
9. 9
   Add 5 beaten eggs and stir thoroughly over medium flame until mixture thickens.
10. 10
    Pour the crema on top of the meat sauce and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour or until brown.
11. 11
    Cool for 1 hour before cutting.