Caroline's Saucy Kitchen

I love making a big batch of bolognese and using it for different recipes; lasagna, baked pasta and so forth.

Ingredients:

• 3 slices of bacon chopped into very small pieces
• 2 pounds of ground beef
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 sticks celery, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, finely chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 handful of fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley chopped
• 1 green hot chili, finely chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 1/2 cups red wine
• 1 cup broth (any will do)
• 5 cups of tomato sauce or tomato Passata
• 1 small 6oz can of tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Preparation Method:

1. In a large pan brown the beef then strain through a colander to drain off the fat and wipe the pan clean
2. Heat up the olive oil and fry the bacon until crispy. Then add the onions and saute them until they are golden and soft.
3. Add the celery, carrots, and garlic. Incorporate the fresh parsley, oregano, green chili, and bay leaf. Cook over medium heat until the vegetables are soft and a little brown.
4. Add browned meat back into the saucepan with the vegetables and mix well.
5. Turn up the heat. Then, add the red wine. Cook for a few minutes until the alcohol evaporates.
6. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer.
7. Cover and cook over low heat for at least 3 hours (the longer the better). Or transfer to a crockpot and cook overnight or all day on low heat.