Bolognese is a favorite at our table. It is a flamboyant choice of meat sauce, providing no opportunity for the ordinary. Hearty in it's stature, this version of bolognese presents an unbridled opportunity for nutrient rich vegetables to act in chorus with the lean meat of your choice. 1lb. Lean Ground Beef 1lb. Ground Pork 1C Trinity {onion.bell pepper.celery} 5-6 Carrots, chopped 3-4 Garlic Cloves, minced 1C Bella Mushrooms, sliced 2Tbsp Olive Oil 1Tbsp Garlic Powder 1Tbsp Fennel Seed 1Tsp Oregano 1Tsp Thyme 1 16 oz. Can of crushed tomato 1 25.5 oz. Jar of your favorite tomato sauce 1/2C Beef or Chicken Stock (depending on what proteins you use) Salt + Pepper to taste Pinch of nutmeg Dust of Parmesan
Over medium heat, sauté the trinity and carrots until tender, 5-7 minutes, in 1tbsp of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté a few minutes more, until fragrant. Remove from the pot and set aside.
In the same pot, add the proteins of your choice. Season the proteins with the garlic powder, fennel seed, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper and brown in the remaining tablespoon of oil. Once browned, add the tender vegetables and mushrooms back into the pot, stirring to incorporate.
Add the tomato sauce, crushed tomato, stock, nutmeg and a bay leaf and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer the bolognese sauce for 30 minutes, dust with Parmesan and serve immediately. Please note *Ground Turkey can substitute ground beef *Traditional bolognese includes diced, browned pancetta. It has been omitted here in an effort to save calories/fat. *Traditional bolognese includes the addition of 1/4C White wine. It has been omitted here in an effort to save calories/fat. *Traditional bolognese includes the addition of 1/4C of whole milk or cream. It has been omitted here in an effort to save calories/fat. If these are not among your dietary concerns considerations, by all means, let it fly!
