Tuscan Vegetable Ragout Recipes

TAGLIATELLE WITH VEGETABLE RAGU

Steps:

• Tip the onion, celery and carrots into a large non-stick saucepan and add 2-3 tbsp water or stock, if you have some. Cook gently, stirring often, until the vegetables are soft.
• Add the garlic, tomato purée and balsamic vinegar, cook on a high heat for 1 min more, add the diced veg, lentils, tomatoes, then bring up to the boil.
• Turn to a simmer, then cook for about 20 mins. Meanwhile, cook the pasta following pack instructions, then drain. Season the ragu and serve with pasta and Parmesan on top, if you like.

SAUSAGE RAGù

Steps:

• With the tip of a small, sharp knife, slit open the sausage casings. Crumble the meat into a wide, heavy skillet or Dutch oven and set over medium-low heat. If the meat is not rendering enough fat to coat the bottom of the pan as it begins to cook, add olive oil one tablespoon at a time until the meat is frying gently, not steaming. Sauté, breaking up any large chunks, until all the meat has turned opaque (do not let it brown), about 5 minutes.
• Add onion, carrot, celery and parsley and stir. Drizzle in more oil if the pan seems dry. Cook over very low heat, stirring often, until the vegetables have melted in the fat and are beginning to caramelize, and the meat is toasty brown. This may take as long as 40 minutes, but be patient: It is essential to the final flavors.
• Add tomatoes and their juice, breaking up the tomatoes with your hands or with the side of a spoon. Bring to a simmer, then add thyme and rosemary and let simmer, uncovered, until thickened and pan is almost dry, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Mix tomato paste with 1 cup hot water. Add to pan, reduce heat to very low, and continue cooking until the ragù is velvety and dark red, and the top glistens with oil, about 10 minutes more. Remove herb sprigs. Sprinkle black pepper over, stir and taste.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil pasta until just tender. Scoop out 2 cups cooking water, drain pasta and return to pot over low heat. Quickly add a ladleful of ragù, a splash of cooking water, stir well and let cook 1 minute. Taste for doneness. Repeat, adding more cooking water or ragù, or both, until pasta is cooked through and seasoned to your liking.
• Pour hot pasta water into a large serving bowl to heat it. Pour out the water and pour in the pasta. Top with remaining ragù, sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately. Pass grated cheese at the table, if desired.

TUSCAN VEGETABLE RAGOUT

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add garlic and zucchini; cover and cook 5 minutes or until softened.
• Stir in tomatoes, beans, and artichokes; cook for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add olives, capers and half the parsley. Season with salt and pepper, top with remaining parsley. Serve with crusty bread or over pasta.

ITALIAN VEGETABLE RAGOUT

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet.
• Add the onion, cover, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Uncover, add the wine, and cook until it evaporates.
• Add the zucchini, tomatoes, red pepper flakes, beans, and parsley.
• Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 20-60 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
• Add the basil and season to taste with salt and pepper, if using.
• This ragout is especially good topped with cooked quinoa.

VEGETABLE RAGOUT

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy stew pot. Saute the onions, garlic, carrots, celery and green beans for 3-4 minutes.
• Add the bay leaves, thyme and red wine and boil, uncovered for 3 minutes.
• Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the zucchini and mushrooms.
• Combine the sauce ingredients and then stir the sauce into the vegetables.
• Simmer about 30 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
• While the vegetables are stewing, cook the potatoes separately in salted boiling water until they are tender.
• Drain and add them to the ragout a few minutes before serving.