Wednesday, December 12, 2012

PASTA: This is my own favourite version of that very popular pasta dish. It has served me well in many family meals over the years.



SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE:

 

 

 

1 lb. spaghetti 

meat mix:

    4 oz. bacon or pancetta, diced                                            
    1 ½ cups ground beef
    1 ½ cups ground veal                                                          
    1 ½ cups chopped onion                                         
    1-2 spicy Italian sausage, casing removed              

¾ cup each diced celery & carrots                                                      

1 tbsp. minced garlic

1 tbsp. olive oil                                                           

1 cup each red wine & beef or chicken stock

herbs & spices:

    ½ tsp. each cinnamon, dried thyme & nutmeg
    ¼ tsp. oregano
    2 bay leaves                                                
    1 tsp. salt + 2 tsp. sugar                                                       

1 x 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes + 2 tbsp. tomato paste                                 

freshly grated Parmesan cheese

 

 


To make meat sauce:  In a large heavy saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat and add in bacon or pancetta. Cook for 4 -5 minutes to brown slightly. Drain off excess oil. Add onions, carrots and celery. Cook until soft, about 5 minutes.  Add herbs mixture and the salt, but no sugar yet. Stir and cook together for 1 minute; then add beef, veal and sausage meat. Stir well together and cook until no longer pink. Add wine and deglaze the pan, scraping up any brown bits sticking to the bottom of pan. Continue cooking until half the liquid is evaporated, about 2-4 minutes. 

 

Add canned tomatoes and its juice, tomato paste and beef broth. Bring to a boil, add sugar and adjust seasoning. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for 1 to 1½ hours, or until sauce is thick. Keep warm until ready to serve.

 

Bring a large pot of water, with 2 tbsp. salt added, to a boil and cook spaghetti until al dente. Drain and add pasta to sauce, tossing to coat. Alternately, put a serving of spaghetti in individual serving bowl and top it with sauce; then sprinkle with grated cheese.

 

 

 

 

 

VARIATION:  SPICY SPAGHETTI SAUCE:  Add 2 red chillies, chopped, and ½ tsp. chilli powder to seasoning ingredients. Prepare as above.

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