1large aubergine sliced lengthways into 1/2 inch slices
2large Maris Piper potatoespeeled and sliced lengthways into 1/2 inch slices
1red onion finely chopped
1large white onion finely chopped
1lbbeef or lamb mince
4clovesgarlic crushed
2green chillies crushed
1cinnamon stick
1 400gtin chopped tomatoes blended
1tbsptomato puree
2tspCumin powder
1tspCoriander powder
1/2tspRed chilli powder
1/2tspTurmeric Powder
Salt and black pepper to tasteUse plenty of black pepper here
4tbspOlive oil
Sauce
100gbutter
100gplain flour
725mlfull fat milk
3eggs beaten
3tbspplain yoghurt
100gGruyere cheese gratedDivided into 2
50gparmesan cheese gratedDivided into 2
Pinchnutmeg
Instructions
Aubergine
Salt the aubergine and set aside for 30 minutes.
Rinse and dry on kitchen tissue.
Fry the aubergine in 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pan, over a medium heat till they are colouring slightly. (About 2-3 minutes each side). Drain on kitchen towel.
Potatoes
Add more oil to the same pan as the aubergines were cooked in and cook for 3 - 4 minutes each side and drain on kitchen towel.
Mince
In a separate pan, heat oil and fry the onions, garlic and green chilli for 6 - 7 minutes till the onions are a golden brown colour.
Add the mince and allow it to brown for 10 minutes.
Add cinnamon stick, cumin, coriander, turmeric, red chilli powder, tomatoes, tomato paste and salt and pepper.
Simmer over a low heat for 30 minutes, then remove the cinnamon stick.
Bechamel
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low/medium heat.
Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the milk slowly and stir continuously until the sauce thickens.
Remove from the heat and whisk in the eggs, yoghurt and nutmeg.
Stir in half the parmesan and half the gruyere cheese.
Assembly
In a deep casserole dish, add a layer of potatoes, then mince and then aubergine. Repeat the layers until everything is used up.
Pour over the white sauce, making sure it covers in a thick, even layer.
Sprinkle with the remaining parmesan and gruyere cheese.
Bake in the oven for 35 minutes, until it is golden brown in colour.