Bolognese

Serves 8-10, 2 Pounds of your favorite Pasta.

Inspired and stolen from the Pasta Bible

Works well with Tagliatelle, Fettuccine, or Pappardelle

  • 4 T buter

  • 2 T olive oil

  • 2 onions, finely chopped

  • 4 carrots, finely chopped

  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • 9 ounces pancetta, diced

  • 18 oz ground beef

  • 18 ounces ground pork

  • 1 C. dry white wine

  • 2 (28oz) Cans Crushed Italian Tomatoes

  • 4 - 6 C. beef stock

  • 1 C. panna da cucina or heavy cream

  • Bread/Garlic bread

  • Salt & Pepper to taste

  • Parmesan cheese, grated for serving

  1. Make the meat sauce first. Heat butter and oil in a large dutch oven or skillet until sizzling.

  2. Add the pancetta and cook over medium heat for 8 minutes.

  3. Add the garlic and vegetables, and cook until slightly softened, an additional 5 minutes.

  4. Add the ground been and pork, lower the heat and cook gently for 10 minutes, stirring frequently and breaking up the lumps of meat.

  5. Add, salt and pepper to taste, then add the wine and stir again. Simmer for about 5-7 minutes or until reduced.

  6. Add the canned tomatoes and 2 cups of beef stock and bring to a boil.

  7. Stir the sauce well, then lower the heat. Half cover the pan and let simmer very gently for 2 hours. Stir occasionally and add more stock as it becomes absorbed.

  8. Pour the cream into the sauce, and mix well. Simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes, stirring frequently.

  9. Meanwhile cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain pasta.

  10. Toss pasta into a large pasta bowl with sauce. Serve with grated cheese.

It's the birthday of my big 4-0, and what do I say would be a wonderful dinner after a day of hiking in Acadia? This dish. Sallie offered her services, and has made this for me on more than one occasion. I say me, because I love the dish, and I love feeling sluggish and overly stuffed afterwards. Nikki's side of the family all own this cookbook, and a few of the recipes are part of the entree routine for Nikki and myself. It's also best finished with hippopotamus cupcakes which Nikki surprised me with, and it's an amazing treat the next day for lunch. The sauce almost improves overnight.