Gina from Skinny Taste is a light cooking genius. If you don’t already follow her recipe blog, I highly recommend it. I found this recipe on Gina’s site and it was so delicious I wanted to lick my bowl after finishing a serving. The pancetta, vegetables, seasoning and half-and-half in Bolognese really sets it apart from other meat sauces and gives it a rich, developed flavor. This recipe makes a lot of sauce but you can freeze some for later use. I will definitely make this again – so good!
Bolognese Sauce
Source: skinnytaste.com
Ingredients:
4 oz pancetta, chopped (my grocery store sells pre-chopped pancetta in a 4 oz container near the deli counter)
1 T butter
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 c celery, minced
1/2 c carrots, minced
1 lb 95% lean ground beef
1/4 c white wine (I always use Riesling)
2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
1 bay leaf
salt and fresh pepper to taste
1/4 c chopped fresh parsley
1/2 c half & half
Directions:
1. I started by chopping my onion, celery & carrots in the food processor.
2. In a large, deep sauté pan, cook pancetta until the fat melts (do not over-cook) and then add the onions, carrots, celery and butter and cook until vegetables are soft. Add the meat, salt & pepper and break up with a wooden spoon. Cook meat until browned. Add the wine and cook until it reduces, about 3-4 minutes. Add the bay leaf and tomatoes and simmer on low for 1 ½ - 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Before serving, add half & half and parsley and cook 2 minutes longer.
Bolognese Sauce
Source: skinnytaste.com
Ingredients:
4 oz pancetta, chopped (my grocery store sells pre-chopped pancetta in a 4 oz container near the deli counter)
1 T butter
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 c celery, minced
1/2 c carrots, minced
1 lb 95% lean ground beef
1/4 c white wine (I always use Riesling)
2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
1 bay leaf
salt and fresh pepper to taste
1/4 c chopped fresh parsley
1/2 c half & half
Directions:
1. I started by chopping my onion, celery & carrots in the food processor.
2. In a large, deep sauté pan, cook pancetta until the fat melts (do not over-cook) and then add the onions, carrots, celery and butter and cook until vegetables are soft. Add the meat, salt & pepper and break up with a wooden spoon. Cook meat until browned. Add the wine and cook until it reduces, about 3-4 minutes. Add the bay leaf and tomatoes and simmer on low for 1 ½ - 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Before serving, add half & half and parsley and cook 2 minutes longer.
Serving Suggestion:
Just pour 1/2 c of sauce over 1 c of your favorite pasta and enjoy!Yields 16 (1/2 c) servings. Weight Watchers Points Plus: 3 per serving (for sauce only)
Your pictures would look better taken in natural light. Just a hint. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenna. I make dinner in the evening, and in Buffalo in the middle of winter there really is no natural light at that time! My apartment doesn't get much natural light to begin with, so this is the best I can do right now without professional photography equipment.
ReplyDeleteAt this point, I've been blogging for less than 2 months, so I haven't really invested much in it yet and I still take all the pictures with my phone camera! I've never taken a photography class or anything and I don't have a special camera, but as this blogging hobby progresses I hope to improve upon my photography skills and eventually buy a nicer camera. I agree the lighting could be much better. Maybe someday I will be able to invest in professional photography lighting. I'd love for my blog to evolve into a more professional look at some point, but for now I'm still in the learning process!
As my blog is still in the beginning stages, these photos will have to do until I acquire new equipment. Hopefully you still find the recipes appetizing, because I love sharing. Thanks for the tip.
I take a lot of my pictures at night too! I set up a light area down stairs in my basement and bought some daylight bulbs to help with the light. It works very well. I do like the recipes on your blog. Found it on the Weight Watcher boards.
ReplyDeleteI just checked out your blog and your photos look AWESOME! I've never heard of daylight bulbs but obviously they work - thanks for the tip! I figured there was no way for me to get that look without expensive lighting but your pics look great. I can't wait to try that! :)
ReplyDelete