Chucks Bolognese Recipes

SLOW-COOKER BOLOGNESE

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery, carrots and onions, season with salt and pepper and cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste and cook for a minute. Pour in the red wine and cook until it is mostly evaporated, about 3 minutes. Pour this mixture into a slow cooker.
• Pour the remaining 2 tablespoons oil into the skillet, add the beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up any lumps, until it is nicely browned, about 15 minutes. Drain off any excess fat. Stir in the milk and cook until it is mostly absorbed by the meat, about 5 minutes. Add this to the slow cooker along with the tomatoes, oregano, basil, thyme, red pepper flakes, nutmeg and Parmesan rind if using. Add some salt. Give it a good stir, cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
• Skim off any fat on top and check the consistency. If it is too thick, add a bit of water. If it is too thin, cook for another 30 minutes with the cover off.
• Remove the rind and serve over spaghetti with lots of grated Parmesan and topped with fresh basil and parsley. Extra sauce can be frozen for later use.

SIMPLE BOLOGNESE

Steps:

• In a large skillet heat the olive oil. When almost smoking, add the onion and garlic and saute over medium heat until the onions become very soft, about 8 minutes. Add the celery and carrot and saute for 5 minutes. Raise heat to high and add the ground beef. Saute, stirring frequently and breaking up any large lumps and cook until meat is no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes, parsley and basil and cook over medium low heat until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper. This will take approximately 1/2 hour. Finish bolognese with Pecorino Romano.

CHUCK'S BOLOGNESE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pan and saute the onions and carrots until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme and chile flakes. Saute for 2 more minutes. Add 1/2 cup veal stock into the vegetable mixture. Add the ground beef, veal and pork, stirring and adding more veal stock when necessary to keep the meat moist. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes.
• Add the milk and stir. Continue cooking until half of the liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste, the remaining veal stock and continue cooking until desired thickness. Adjust the seasoning.
• Cook the pasta in salted boiling water, about 8 minutes. Drain and mix with the butter, and then add the sauce, chives and basil. Mix well. Serve with grated Pecorino cheese.