Firin Makarna (Macaroni Bake) is a traditional Cypriot recipe (from the Turkish half of the island) for a classic lasagne-style dish of a macaroni base layered with cheese sauce and minced lamb that's oven baked until nicely browned on top. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Cypriot version of: Macaroni Bake (Firin Makarna).
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This is a classic Turkish Cypriot version of lasagne, but made with macaroni
Ingredients:
For the Meat Layer:
1 large packet of macaroni
500g minced meat (lamb or beef)
1 bunch of parsley, finely chopped
1 garlic clove
1 onion, finely chopped
For the Sauce:
600ml milk
1 pack of Halloumi cheese, grated
handful of grated Cheddar cheese
6 tbsp plain flour
2 eggs
Method:
Lightly-grease an oven-proof dish with butter or oil. Heat a little olive oil in a frying pan, add the onion and fry for about 5 minutes or until transparent. At this point, stir in the mince and continue frying until the meat is browned. Take off the hob then stir in the chopped parsley.
In the meantime, bring a pan of lightly-salted water to a boil, add the macaroni and cook according to the packet instructions, until al dente. Drain the pasta and turn half into the greased oven-proof dish.
For the sauce, pour the milk into a saucepan. Slowly add the flour, whisking until smooth. Cook until the mixture begins to thicken. At this point, whisk together the eggs and Halloumi in a bowl. Add a ladleful of the hot milk mixture to temper then pour into the pan with the remaining milk. Place back on the hob and heat gently until thickened.
Pour half this sauce over the pasta in the baking dish. Stir to combine then add the meat mixture before pouring the remaining macaroni on top. Add the remaining cheese sauce then sprinkle over the grated Cheddar cheese.
Transfer to an oven pre-heated to 190°C and bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown. When done, remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
This goes well accompanied by a green salad and a yoghurt and mint dip.
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