Zucchini Ovenbake كوسة بالباشاميل Kousa bil béchamel

Zucchini Ovenbake كوسة بالباشاميل Kousa bil béchamel

I quite like Zucchini (Squash).  Its a great vegetable and easy to cook but can lack flavour if eaten on its own.  Thats where this recipe can come in handy.  It is similar to Mousaka which is made using eggplant that is layered with a Beshamel sauce and quite well known as a Greek dish.  But this Egyptian version known as كوسة بالباشاميل Kousa bil béchamel is tasty too.

Zucchini Ovenbake كوسة بالباشاميل Kousa bil béchamel

Serves 6

1 kg zucchini cut into 1cm thick slices

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1kg minced or ground beef

2 x 140g tub tomato paste

690ml tomato passata + 500ml water

Salt, pepper and   mixed spice to taste

¼ cup breadcrumbs

Béchamel (White sauce)

100g butter

100g/ ½ cup plain flour

2 ½ cups / 625ml full cream milk,

1 teaspoon mace or mixed spice

1 ½ teaspoon allspice

Salt/pepper to taste

½ cup grated parmesan cheese, optional

To make the meat sauce

Heat oil in a large pan then add onion and garlic and fry over medium heat until translucent.  Add mince and cook over high heat for 15 minutes breaking up any lumps until it is browned and almost all the liquid has evaporated.

Add tomato paste, mace (mixed spice or allspice is fine too) and season with salt and pepper.  Cook for 2 minutes before adding 2 cups or 500ml water.  Bring it to the boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered until meat is cooked and the liquid has reduced and almost completely evaporated.

To make the béchamel sauce

In a heavy based saucepan melt the butter over medium heat and add the flour.  Cook for 2 minutes, add the spices and cook for a further minute, stirring continuously.  Add the milk a little at first and stir to a smooth paste before adding more. Continue to add milk and stir to remove any lumps.  Bring to the boil, reduce heat and cook until the sauce has thickened.  Remove from heat.

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas mark 4).   

Grease a 20 x 15 cm tray with butter or oil and sprinkle the breadcrumbs over.   Tap the tray to spread the crumbs in a thin layer and remove any excess.  Layer half the zucchini over the base then cover with half the cooked mince.  Repeat with another layer of zucchini and the remainder of the meat.  Spread the béchamel sauce evenly over the top and bake, uncovered, for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown on top and zucchini is cooked.

Serve over rice and with a salad.

Zucchini Ovenbake كوسة بالباشاميل Kousa bil béchamel

Zucchini Ovenbake كوسة بالباشاميل Kousa bil béchamel

To view the video of how to make Zuccini Ovenbake كوسة بالباشاميل Kousa bil béchamel click on the link below.  This is part 1, stay tuned for part 2 to follow.

Zucchini Ovenbake كوسة بالباشاميل Kousa bil béchamel