PASTA BOLOGNESE RECIPE COURTESY ANNE BURRELL

PASTA BOLOGNESE RECIPE COURTESY ANNE BURRELL image

Yield 6-8 people

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1 large onion or 2 small, cut into 1-inch dice
2 large carrots, cut into 1/2-inch dice
3 ribs celery, cut into 1-inch dice
4 cloves garlic
Extra-virgin olive oil, for the pan
Kosher salt
3 pounds ground chuck, brisket or round or combination
2 cups tomato paste
3 cups hearty red wine
Water
3 bay leaves
1 bunch thyme, tied in a bundle
1 pound spaghetti
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
High quality extra-virgin olive oil, for finishing

Steps:

In food processor, puree onion, carrots, celery, & garlic into coarse paste. In large pan over med heat, coat pan w/oil. Add pureed veggies, season generously w/salt. Bring to med-high heat & cook til all water has evaporated & they brown, stirring frequently, about 15/20 mins. Be patient, cook well. Add grnd beef & season generously w/salt. BROWN THE BEEF! Don't rush. Cook another 15/20 mins. Add tomato paste & cook til brown, 4 to 5 mins. Add red wine. Cook til wine reduces by half, another 4/5 mins. Add water about 1 inch above meat. Toss in bay leaves & bundle of thyme. Stir to combine all. Bring to boil--reduce to simmer, stirring occasionally. May gradually need to add more water, abt 2 to 3 cups at a time (?). Don't be shy about the water, you can always cook it out. This is where rich flavors develop. (If add all water at start will have boiled meat sauce not rich, thick meaty sauce.) Stir & TASTE frequently. Season with salt, if needed (probably will). Simmer 3 1/2-4 hours. During last 30 mins, bring large pot water to boil. Pasta water should ALWAYS be well salted or no matter how good your sauce is, complete dish will taste under seasoned. When water boils add pasta & cook for 1 minute less than pkg says. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. Meanwhile remove 1/2 ragu from pot & reserve. Drain pasta & add to pot w/ragu. Toss pasta to coat w/sauce. Add some reserved sauce to make even ratio btwn pasta & sauce. Add reserved pasta water and cook pasta & sauce together over med heat til watr reduces. Turn off heat. Give big sprinkle of Parmigiano & generous drizzle of quality olive oil.Stir well. Divide into indiv bowls or 1 big pasta bowl. Top w/ remaining cheese. Serve immediately.