Makaoronia Tou Fournou
Cypriot Pastitsio, also known as 'Makaronia Tou Fournou', is sometimes mistaken for 'Moussaka,' therefore keep a watch on the Béchamel sauce (it is whiter and puffier in the Pastitsio). Pastitsio is prepared by carefully stacking the following ingredients: macaroni, minced beef with seasonings, and Béchamel sauce. The masterpiece is then topped with halloumi cheese and placed directly in the oven. On weekdays, it can be served as a side dish (with a meat meze) or as a main dish. Children like this Cypriot baked-pasta meal because of its delicate texture, rich aroma, and delectable flavor!
Ingredients:
½ cup red wine(120 mL),4 garlic cloves, minced,¼ cup onion(40 g), diced,3 lb ground pork(1 kg),1 teaspoon cinnamon,6 tablespoons dried mint, divided,1 tablespoon black pepper,2 cups halloumi cheese(200 g), grated and divided,16 oz ziti pasta(450 g), cooked al dente,½ stick butter,½ cup flour(60 g),2 cups milk(470 mL),½ teaspoon paprika,1 cup fresh parsley(35 g), chopped
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- In a wok or large skillet, pour the red wine. Add garlic and onion, and sauté until tender.
- Add the pork, and cook thoroughly.
- Add the cinnamon, 2 tablespoons mint, pepper, and parsley, and mix together.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter.
- Add flour a little at a time, mixing constantly, until it forms a paste.
- Add milk a little at a time, whisking constantly, until fully combined.
- Add paprika, and stir until thickened.
- In a large casserole dish, lay down half the ziti. Sprinkle on 1 cup (50g) of halloumi and 2 tablespoons mint. Top with entire pork mixture, then the remaining halloumi, mint, and pasta.
- Top entire mixture with the sauce, and cover with foil. To prevent foil sticking to the sauce, place a toothpick in each corner of the dish to prop the foil up.
- Bake 45 minutes, then broil for 5-10 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes.
