This bolognese sauce is dedicated to the late, great
Marcella Hazan, who passed away in September, at the age of 89. She was
considered the Julia Child of Italian food, and at a time when most Americans
though “bolognese” was spaghetti sauce with chunks of hamburger it, Marcella
taught us just how magnificent this meat sauce could be.
One thing that always surprises people making this recipe
for the first time is the absence of garlic. Hazan railed against the common
belief that garlic should be added to any and all Italian recipes. She once
wrote, “the unbalanced use of garlic is the single greatest cause of failure in
would-be Italian cooking,” and “Garlic can be exciting when you turn to it
sporadically, on impulse, but on a regular basis, it is tiresome.”
for the first time is the absence of garlic. Hazan railed against the common
belief that garlic should be added to any and all Italian recipes. She once
wrote, “the unbalanced use of garlic is the single greatest cause of failure in
would-be Italian cooking,” and “Garlic can be exciting when you turn to it
sporadically, on impulse, but on a regular basis, it is tiresome.”
Would a few minced garlic cloves ruin this incredibly
delicious pasta sauce? Probably not, but since this is supposed to be something
of a tribute, I decided to remain true. Speaking of ingredients, I used ground
beef here, but I’ve also done this with cubed chuck roast, which works
wonderfully as well.
Anyway, I really hope you give this classic bolognese a try,
and if you do, and there’s some extra wine around, please raise a glass, and
toast the “Nonna” of Italian cuisine in America. Enjoy!
and if you do, and there’s some extra wine around, please raise a glass, and
toast the “Nonna” of Italian cuisine in America. Enjoy!
Ingredients for 6 portions:
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
1 cup finely diced onions
1/2 cup finely diced celery
1/2 cup finely diced carrot
1 1/2 tsp salt,
or to taste
or to taste
freshly ground black pepper and cayenne to taste
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1 1/2 lb ground beef
1 1/2 cups milk
2 cups white wine
1 can San Marzano plum tomatoes (28-oz), about 3 cups
2 cups water, or as needed
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