Beef Florentine - cooking recipe

Ingredients

SAUCE
1 lb lean ground beef or 1 lb ground sirloin
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, with puree
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic (per taste)
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon oregano
salt and pepper
FILLING
9 ounces fresh spinach, trimmed
2 eggs
1 lb small curd cottage cheese
2 cups Italian cheese blend (4 cheese mixture)
1 teaspoon salt (kosher)
1/2 teaspoon pepper
CRUST
8 phyllo pastry sheets

Preparation

SAUCE Place olive oil in large skillet.
Add garlic and brown for about 2 minutes.
Add ground beef and brown.
Drain off excess grease.
Add crushed tomatoes.
Add tomato paste.
Add nutmeg, oregano and salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer for at least 1 hour.
While this is cooking prepare the filling.
FILLING Trim ends from spinach.
Cook until wilted.
Drain off all excess liquid and squeeze dry.
Beat 2 eggs.
Add cottage cheese and spinach.
Add 1 cup of Italian blend cheese.
Salt and pepper.
CRUST Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 13x9 pan (preferrably glass) with non stick spray.
Pour sauce into pan.
Top with filling.
Cover with rest of cheese.
Take one sheet of Phyllo at a time and brush with melted butter until you have 8 layers.
Bake at 350 deg.
for 1 hour or until top is golden brown.
Let stand for at least 15 minutes.
Cut into squares and serve.