Homemade Bolognese Sauce
I LOVE pasta, especially with a homemade bolognese style sauce. This is one of my comfort foods. I feel like I speak about comfort food a lot, so I'd like to briefly explain it here. When I say comfort food it means I associate that food with happy memories, family, and love, all of which bring me comfort. Essentially, that food makes me think of home. What are some of your comfort foods?
Tomato season is amongst us, my mini backyard garden is actually producing some beautiful tomatoes as you read this. If you don't have a garden at home you can definitely find local tomatoes at any grocery store this time of year. My family partakes in the long standing Italian tradition of canning tomatoes in early September for fresh tomato sauce throughout the year (I am super thankful for this tradition because I love homemade tomato sauce).
This recipe is the perfect use for your fresh tomatoes. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Makes approximately 1.5 L of sauce, serve with your choice of pasta and freeze the remaining sauce for another meal.
Ingredients:
3 cloves garlic,
300 g ground chicken or turkey
1 small white onion, minced
Salt and black pepper to taste (should be somewhat generous here)
1 L diced tomatoes (can be fresh or canned- if using fresh the tomatoes must be peeled)
4 leaves, fresh basil
1 tbsp. dried oregano
3 tbsp. olive oil
Option: include a large hot banana pepper or 2-3 chili peppers for a spicy sauce
Directions:
In a pot over medium-high heat warm vegetable oil and sauté garlic cloves for 2-3 minutes (until browned) then remove. Add ground meat, salt and black pepper. Cook meat until brown (~7-10 minutes). Add minced onion, tomatoes, oregano, and more salt and black pepper.
Simmer on low heat for 2 hours.
Be sure to mix the sauce every so often and leave a small amount open (the lid shouldn't completely covering the pot).
1.5 hours in add the 4 leaves of fresh basil for additional flavour.
I hope you find this sauce as comforting and delicious as I do.
Cheers to happy and healthy eating. :)
Until next time,
Eat Right Feel Right - Angela XO
