An experienced teacher and educational administrator, Suzana Ustabecir currently serves students as an instructional effectiveness specialist with Chicago Public Schools. Outside of her professional pursuits, Suzana Ustabecir enjoys cooking desserts and Greek cuisine.
Traditional Greek cuisine is characterized by local ingredients that thrive in the Mediterranean region, such as cheese, oils, and fruits, in addition to herbs and vegetables. Well-known traditional recipes include gyros, souvlaki, magiritsa, kokoretsi, fasolada, and moussaka.
A casserole dish, Moussaka originated in the Balkans and eastern Mediterranean region. It traditionally consists of layers of eggplant along with lamb meat, tomatoes, and cheese. However, other vegetables can be used in place of the eggplant. These options include zucchini, potatoes, mushrooms, or a vegetable mix. More recent moussaka recipes often include ground beef instead of lamb, along with a béchamel sauce constructed from butter, flour, milk, and sometimes cheese. In addition, vegetarian versions of the dish are also common and utilize ground eggplant rather than meat.
