Pastitsio with lamb, handmade papardelle, béchamel and carob with a glass of Melissaki P.G.I. Crete

1 kg boneless lamb shoulder

1 onion

2 cloves of garlic

1 tomato

1 carrot

1 sprig of celery

1/2 tsp tomato paste

Extra virgin olive oil

1 laurel leaf

1 cinnamon stick

Carob powder

White wine

Broth

For the fresh pasta

200 g pasta flour

2 eggs

2 tbsp cold water

Semolina

For the béchamel

100 g butter

80 g flour

1 egg

Nutmeg

500 gruyere

Cut the lamb and remove the muscle fibers.

Finely chop the onion and vegetables.

In a shallow saucepan, sauté the lamb with a little olive oil.

When it is golden brown we add the onion and garlic and later the vegetables to caramelize.

Season with salt, pepper and add paprika, laurel leaf and cinnamon.

Add the tomato paste and a minute later deglaze the pan with wine (melissaki). Once evaporated add broth or water, grated or chopped tomato and simmer until the lamb is tender.

On the counter top make a small puddle of flour, add 2 eggs and mix slowly with a fork. As soon as a dilute dough is created, continue by hand and if necessary add cold water.

When you have a tight dough, cover with cling film and put in the fridge.

In a saucepan add the butter and flour to get a light color, off the heat add the lukewarm milk and put it back in the hob. With a pastry wire mix, until you have a thick béchamel, remove from the heat and add grated nutmeg, eggs, cheese, salt and pepper.

Roll out the dough into a thin sheet with a rolling pin, sprinkling with semolina. With a knife, cut the pasta into thick strips and boil it in salted water. Then add the pasta in the saucepan with the lamb and cook together for 7-8 minutes.

Serve on a plate, add hot béchamel and sprinkle with carob powder.