Bill Grays Meat Sauce Recipes

CLASSIC ITALIAN MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large saucepot, heat one tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add both the ground beef and the sausage together and cook, stirring frequently, and breaking up the meat so that it's very crumbly and browned throughout, about 4 to 6 minutes. Turn it into a strainer and let it the fat drain off.
• Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the same pot over medium heat (don't clean it! All those little bits of flavor from the meat will season the sauce). Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano and basil and cook, stirring for 2 more minutes, until you can smell the garlic and herbs. Add the wine, if using, and stir for one more minute, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom, until the wine pretty much evaporates.
• Add the canned tomatoes and red pepper flakes if using, and stir to combine everything. Bring to a simmer over medium high heat, stirring occasionally. Add the browned meat, lower the heat to medium low and simmer, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes. Taste, and season gently with the salt and pepper (the sausages provide a whole lot of seasoning).

ROCHESTER MEAT HOT SAUCE

Steps:

• ln a large skillet, over medium heat fry onion and garlic in oil until soft. Add meat and spices, periodically stir and break up any clumps of beef with a fork. Cook until the meat is no longer pink.
• Once the meat is cooked though, add beef broth, tomato paste and brown sugar. Simmer 10 minutes. Use a hand immersion blender to further give the meat a finer texture, a couple of quick whirls here and there are all you need.
• Simmer 1 hour, adding more beef broth if necessary to keep it moist, but avoid adding too much and letting the sauce get soupy.

GARBAGE/TRASH PLATE HOT SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, fry chopped onion and garlic in oil until soft.
• Add meat, stirring constantly with fork to keep it's texture fine.
• Once the meat browns, add water and tomato paste. Simmer 10 minutes.
• Add sugar and spices. Simmer 30 minutes, adding water, if necessary to keep it moist but not soupy. Alternatively, you may use the griddle scrapings from cooking the patties to make this the Authentic Nick Tahou way.
• Enjoy a taste of Rochester, NY!