Bulgarian Moussaka

Ingredients

• 0.75 pounds ground beef , 85% lean
• 0.75 pounds ground pork
• 0.5 cups olive oil , divided
• 1 large carrot , finely chopped
• 0.5 yellows onion , finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery , finely chopped
• 0.25 bunches fresh parsley , stems and leaves chopped separately
• 1 can diced tomatoes , 14.5 ounce
• 1 red bell pepper , finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 bays leaves
• 0.5 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 6 russets potatoes , peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and ground pork and cook until brown and crumbly, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain and discard fat. Add 1/4 cup olive oil, carrot, onion, celery, parsley stems, and tomatoes. Mix to combine. Stir in bell pepper and season with paprika, salt, pepper, bay leaves, and cayenne pepper. Cook until vegetables start to soften, about 10 minutes.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

3. 3

   Transfer meat mixture to a large baking pan.

4. 4

   Heat remaining 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet and cook potatoes until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer to the baking pan and mix well with the meat mixture.

5. 5

   Bake moussaka in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove baking dish from the oven and mix in chopped parsley leaves.

6. 6

   Stir eggs, yogurt, flour, and baking soda together in a bowl until it turns into a spreadable mixture. Pour over the meat mixture in the baking dish.

7. 7

   Return baking dish to the oven and cook until the top is golden brown, about 15 more minutes.