Bulgarian Mu-ssa-KA

Remember that scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding when Toula is remembering her childhood and the pretty girls ask her what she's having for lunch and she says, "Mussaka." and they say, "Moose Ca-ca? AHAHAHAHAA!!" Well, here it is, Mussaka, not moose ca-ca. It's very good, very Balkan and perhaps one of the best dishes you'll ever eat.

Here is the recipe:

1 lb ground beef or turkey (I like turkey)
2-3 lbs potatoes (If you use russets peel them, reds and golds can have the skins)
1, 14 oz can crushed or diced tomatoes
1 sm can tomato sauce
1 med diced onion
1 diced red or yellow bell pepper (or if you have a few roasted red peppers from a jar use those)
2-3 cloves or 3T minced garlic
4 eggs
2 C plain yogurt
2-3 T flour
1/2 t salt
1 t ground summer savory (this is what makes it tase Bulgarian)
1/2 t red pepper flakes (optional if you like a little heat, or 'loot' as it's called in BG)
salt & pepper to taste
olive oil

Method:

Pre-heat oven to 350F. In a stock pot or soup pan, brown onion, garlic, bell pepper and meat till the meat is done. Cut potatoes in to 1" (approx) cubes and add into meat, also add the savory and red pepper at this time. Add the tomatoes with the juice, the tomato sauce and about a cup of water. Bring to a boil, cover and cook till the potaoes are done all the way thru. During this time, salt the mixture to your taste. When the potatoes are done, remove from the stovetop and pour into a 9x13 baking dish and place in the oven. Bake for 30-40 mins, till a crust has formed on the top of the casserole. If your mixture did not have a lot of liquid to begin with add 1 C of water before baking, if the mixure did have liquid in it, then omit this.

For the Top: Mix together the eggs, yogurt, flour and 1/2 t salt till well blended and smooth. Pour over the top of the casserole after it has baked for 30 mins. Pop back into the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 mins, or till the top is browing and looks cooked. You can also insert a knife in the top, if it comes out clean it's done.

Serve this with salad, bread and plain yogurt. The Bulgarians love yogurt, or kiselo milako (litterally sour milk). They use it on everything. I can't imagine eating mussaka with out yogurt on top.

Chestito Yadane!