Bolognese Sauce
cooking time = 2-4 hours
INGREDIENTS
4-5 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Onion, very finely chopped
1 Celery stalk, very finely chopped
1 Carrot, very finely chopped
5-8oz Pancetta/Guanciale, very finely chopped
2 Large cloves Garlic, pressed or minced
1lb Ground Beef
2lb Ground Pork
1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
1 1/2 Cup White Wine
16.8oz Tomato Passata
1 1/2 - 2 1/2 Cups Beef Broth or Water, divided
1/3 Cup Milk
Salt and Pepper
METHOD
1. Start by very finely chopping the Carrot, Onion, Celery, and Pancetta.
2. Heat the Olive Oil in a large pot on medium heat.
3. Once the oil has started to warm, add Carrot, Onion, Celery, Pancetta, and Garlic. Simmer for around 10 minutes.
4. Add the Ground Meat, Oregano, and a tsp of Salt, breaking down the chunks of meat using a wooden spoon as it cooks.
5. Once the meat has cooked about half way, add the Wine. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring every so often.
6. After 5 minutes, add the Tomato Sauce and a sprinkle of pepper, stir well.
7. Add 1 cup of Beef Broth and mix thoroughly.
8. Reduce heat to low. Cover, let simmer 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Reduce heat if needed to maintain a low simmer.
9. Once 30 minutes have passed, uncover and mix well. Add more Beef Broth if needed. The sauce should be moist but thick.
10. Break down any large chunks of meat. Continue simmering for 1-4 hours, stirring every 10 minutes.
11. 30 minutes before the sauce is done, cook your pasta.
12. While the pasta is boiling, add the milk to the sauce and stir thoroughly.
13. Once the pasta has finished, place a frypan on the stove on low heat, and add a generous spoonful or two of Bolognese sauce, covering the bottom of the pan.
14. Add the strained pasta into the pan along with 2 Tbsp of pasta water.
15. Mix this thoroughly until the pasta is completely coated before adding another generous amount of Bolognese sauce and mixing again.
OR Add the pasta straight from the boiling water to the sauce and simmer for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
HOW TO SERVE
Serve in a bowl on on a plate with more sauce ladled on top and fresh grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese.
