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Bolognese Sauce

Source of Recipe

From "From Scratch" by Michael Ruhlman


Recipe Introduction

"This is a delicious meat sauce, enriched by milk, which is cooked off so that the solids brown and deepen the flavor. It’s great as is on spaghetti, and will make enough for one big pan of lasagna. Hell, why not add some chili powder and serve it on buns as sloppy Joes? This recipe can be halved. For a vegetarian version, sauté 2 pounds diced cremini mushrooms. Make the sauce without the meat, then add the mushrooms about 5 minutes before serving and allow them to simmer in the sauce."

List of Ingredients

â—¦ 2 tablespoons olive oil
â—¦ 1 onion, diced
â—¦ 1 carrot, grated
â—¦ 2 celery ribs, diced
â—¦ Kosher salt to taste
â—¦ 2 pounds coarsely ground meat (preferably a mix of pork, veal, and beef)
â—¦ 2 cups milk
â—¦ 1 cup dry red wine
â—¦ 6 cups plain tomato sauce (a good store-bought version is fine)
â—¦ 1 tablespoon dried oregano or 2 bay leaves
â—¦ 1 tablespoon fish sauce (if you have it on hand; optional, needless to say)


Recipe

In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. When it is hot, add the onion, carrot, and celery and cook until softened, 5 minutes or so. Hit them with a four-finger pinch of salt as they cook.

Add the meat, and cook, breaking it up as much as possible. When it has lost all its pinkness, add the milk and simmer until all the liquid has cooked off and the milk solids begin to brown.

Add the wine and stir. When the wine has come to a simmer, add the tomato sauce, oregano or bay leaves, and fish sauce (if using). When it has resumed a simmer, taste it and add more salt if needed. Simmer the sauce for 45 to 60 minutes, until thick.

Makes 7 to 8 cups