Ragu/Bolognaise sauce

Ragu-Bolognaise-sauce-with-spaghetti
Serves 6-8
Prep Time 1 hour
Cooking Time 8 hours Crockpot/Slow Cooker plus 30 mins to caramelize onions and 20 mins to make Soffrito

Ingredients for the Soffrito

1 Large onion, finely chopped
3 Large stalks celery, finely chopped
3 Large carrots, finely chopped
4 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil

Ingredients for the Tomato Sauce Base

4 Cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
1000g Passata
3 Tsp Light brown sugar
1 Tsp Dried Thyme
1 Fresh sprig Thyme
1 Tsp Dried Parsley
1 Bay Leaf
20 ml Sherry vinegar
2 Tbsp Worcester sauce
Two or three good splashes of Tabasco sauce
1 Heaped Tbsp Double concentrate Tomato puree
250ml Italian red wine
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Ingredients for the Caramelized Onions

2 Large onions, thinly sliced
50ml plus 2 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil

Main Ingredients

500g Minced Pork
500g Minced Beef

Method

Start by making the Soffrito
Heat the olive oil in a heavy based pan
Add all the Soffrito ingredients and stir
Gently sweat for 15-20 minutes until translucent, stirring occasionally
Take off the heat and set aside
To carelamize the onions
Heat 50ml of the oil in a large heavy pan
Add the onions and stir
After a few minutes the onions will have absorbed the oil, so add another couple of tablespoonfuls if needed
Cook gently for 20-30 minutes until onions are medium to dark brown
Take off heat and set aside

Method for the Tomato Sauce Base

Heat the olive oil in a large heavy pan
Add the chopped garlic and fry for a few minutes
Pour in the Passata and stir
Simmer for 5 minutes
Stir in the caramelised onions and simmer for a further 5 minutes
Add the dried Thyme plus the fresh sprig , parsley, oregano and bay leaf
Add the sherry vinegar, brown sugar salt and freshly ground black pepper, stir
Simmer for 5 minutes
Add the Worcestershire sauce, splash of Tabasco, tomato puree and red wine
Simmer for another 5 minutes
Meanwhile, brown the minced pork and beef
Whilst the meat is browning, turn the Crockpot/slow cooker on high
Assemble all the ingredients together in a Crockpot/slow cooker and turn it down to low
Cook for 8 hours
Serve with Tagliatelle or spaghetti and freshly grated Parmesan cheese