**Ragu alla Bolognese: A Culinary Journey to Italy**
Ragu alla Bolognese, a classic Italian meat sauce, embodies the culinary heritage of Bologna, Italy. This hearty and flavorful sauce is a symphony of rich flavors, where succulent beef, savory vegetables, and aromatic herbs intertwine to create a delectable experience. Often simmered for hours, the ragu develops a deep complexity that makes it a perfect accompaniment to pasta, polenta, or even as a filling for lasagna. This article presents a collection of diverse ragu alla Bolognese recipes, each offering unique variations on this beloved Italian staple. From traditional preparations that adhere to the authentic Bolognese style to modern interpretations that incorporate contemporary ingredients and techniques, these recipes cater to a wide range of culinary preferences and skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, you'll find inspiration and guidance in this comprehensive exploration of ragu alla Bolognese. So, prepare to embark on a delicious journey through the streets of Bologna and savor the essence of Italian cooking in every bite.
AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN RAGU ALLA BOLOGNESE
I want to try this. It looks like an umami explosion. Pass the Parm. This recipe makes enough sauce to coat 2 pounds of pasta. Leftover sauce may be refrigerated for up to three days or frozen for up to one month. Eight teaspoons of gelatin is equivalent to one (1-ounce) box of gelatin. If you can't find ground veal, use an additional ¾ pound of ground beef. Source: America's Test Kitchen Season 13: Ultimate Italian
Provided by College Girl
Categories Sauces
Time 45m
Yield 6 cups, 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Combine chicken broth and beef broth in bowl; sprinkle gelatin over top and set aside. Pulse onion, carrot, and celery in food processor until finely chopped, about 10 pulses, scraping down bowl as needed; transfer to separate bowl. Pulse pancetta and mortadella in now-empty food processor until finely chopped, about 25 pulses, scraping down bowl as needed; transfer to second bowl. Process chicken livers in now-empty food processor until pureed, about 5 seconds; transfer to third bowl.
- Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add beef, veal, and pork; cook, breaking up pieces with spoon, until all liquid has evaporated and meat begins to sizzle, 10 to 15 minutes. Add chopped pancetta mixture and sage; cook, stirring frequently, until pancetta is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes, adjusting heat to keep fond from burning. Add chopped vegetables and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until rust-colored and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in wine, scraping pan with wooden spoon to loosen fond. Simmer until sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in broth mixture and return to simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook at bare simmer until thickened (wooden spoon should leave trail when dragged through sauce), about 1½ hours.
- Stir in pureed chicken livers, bring to boil, and remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste; cover and keep warm.
- Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add pasta and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Reserve ¾ cup cooking water, then drain pasta and return it to pot. Add half of sauce and cooking water to pasta and toss to combine. Transfer to serving bowl and serve, passing cheese separately.
- TECHNIQUE - BUILDING A MEATY, SATINY-TEXTURED BOLOGNESE: 1. COOK the ground meats; add depth by sautéing the chopped mortadella, pancetta, and sage in the rendered fat. 2. ADD the soffritto and sweat it until softened and then add concentrated tomato flavor in the form of tomato paste. 3. DEGLAZE the pot with wine; stir in the broth plus the bloomed gelatin to develop luxurious silky texture. 4. STIR in the pureed chicken livers for subtle but rich taste.
RAGU ALLA BOLOGNESE
Provided by Food Network
Time 7h35m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- In a large, deep saute pan, heat olive oil over high heat and add carrots, celery, onions, and pancetta and cook, stirring, until vegetables are lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Add the beef and cook another 2 minutes. Add pork and cook until meat is lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
- Whisk together the tomato paste and 1 cup of the broth, and add it to meat. Place pan over low heat so that sauce just barely simmers. When broth has evaporated, add another cup. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally and adding a cup of broth when stew becomes dry, until all the broth has been added, about 3 hours.
- Add milk and butter, and continue to simmer very gently until milk has reduced and sauce is very thick, about 2 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper, and serve over tagliatelle or pappardelle with Parmigiano-Reggiano.
- Put all the ingredients in a pot and cover with water. Cook on low; it should boil after about 1 hour. Lower the heat to a low boil. Cook 3 more hours after it has started to boil. Pour the broth through a sieve and refrigerate. The next morning, take off all the fat. You should be left with about 2 quarts of broth. The meat can be served as a bollito with salsa verde.
- Yield: 8 servings
SPICY RAGU ALLA BOLOGNESE
Steps:
- 1. Fry onions and garlic in olive oil until translucent / slightly golden in a large, heavy bottomed saucepan on medium to high heat. Add the bayleaves and fry for a few minutes. 2. Add the minced beef and pork and cook until just browned. 3. Mix in the tinned tomatoes (chop them up in the pan if not already chopped), tomato puree and all the dried spices and herbs - cloves, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage and chilli powder. Then add the red wine and season to taste. 4. Turn the heat down to low and cover. Simmer for 1.5 hours, checking periodically to ensure the sauce doesn't get too dry. 5. Serve with fresh pasta (linguine or tagliatelli) and heaps of freshly grated parmeggiano, a fresh green salad, and the remainder of the bottle of wine... Assuming the chef hasn't finished off the lot!
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: For the best results, use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This includes using fresh vegetables, herbs, and meat, as well as a good quality olive oil and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
- Brown the meat well: Browning the meat is an essential step in making a flavorful ragu. Be sure to brown the meat in batches so that it doesn't steam and release its juices.
- Use a variety of vegetables: A good ragu should have a variety of vegetables, such as carrots, celery, and onions. These vegetables add sweetness, flavor, and texture to the sauce.
- Use a good quality red wine: The red wine you use in your ragu should be a good quality wine that you would enjoy drinking. A full-bodied red wine, such as a Chianti or a Cabernet Sauvignon, will work well.
- Simmer the ragu for a long time: Ragu is a slow-cooked sauce that benefits from simmering for a long time. This allows the flavors to develop and deepen.
- Season the ragu to taste: Be sure to season the ragu to taste with salt, pepper, and other spices. You may also want to add a bit of sugar to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes.
Conclusion:
Ragu alla Bolognese is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a great way to use up leftover meat and vegetables, and it is also a great way to add flavor to pasta, rice, or polenta. With a little planning and effort, you can make a delicious ragu alla Bolognese that will impress your family and friends.
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