Greece

Greece (#13) Pastitsio (Baked Macaroni with Beef and Cheese) and Fasolakia (Green Beans with Tomatoes)

Pastitsio is a Greek traditional baked pasta dish layered with pasta, meat sauce, cheese, a touch of cinnamon and topped with a bechamel sauce.  I used macaroni but penne or buccatini can also be used.  You start with a layer of cooked macaroni, then top with meat sauce, then top with Kasseri cheese mixed with cinnamon, then another layer of macaroni.  A heated mixture of milk, butter and eggs is poured over the top, then another layer of cheese is added.  Bake for 50 minutes at 325 degrees.  The green beans are simply onions, garlic, parsley, tomatoes, and the green beans cooked stovetop for about an hour until they're tender.  I served this with a lettuce salad topped with feta, olives and an oregano vinaigrette.