Sorry, but apparently there is ( here )
Anyone fancy posting the recipe? I can't see it as I'm over my free pages limit on the telegraph site...
RECIPE: The perfect bolognese
Serves four people
Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
6 rashers of streaky 'pancetta' bacon, chopped
2 large onions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 carrots, chopped
Stick of celery
1kg/21⁄4lb lean minced beef
2 large glasses of red wine
2x400g cans chopped tomatoes
2 fresh or dried bay leaves
salt and freshly ground black pepper
800g-1kg/13⁄4-21⁄4lb dried tagliatelle
freshly grated parmesan cheese, to serve
1. Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan and fry the bacon until golden over a medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, frying until softened. Increase the heat and add the minced beef. Fry it until it has browned. Pour in the wine and boil until it has reduced in volume by about a third. Reduce the temperature and stir in the tomatoes and celery.
2. Cover with a lid and simmer over a gentle heat for 1-11⁄2 hours until it's rich and thickened, stirring occasionally.
3. Cook the tagliatelle in plenty of boiling salted water. Drain and divide between plates. Sprinkle a little parmesan over the pasta before adding a good ladleful of the sauce. Finish with a further scattering of cheese and a twist of black pepper.
Ha Ha....... Sorry, but I couldn't resist
This kind of comment really makes me laugh - essential? The air you breathe is essential - but not red wine in a bolo (ragu) - peasant/staple regional recipes always used what was freely available and free- if red wine was abundant it would go in, if not it would not. There is no 'essential' about it- daft !
DOnt know if already mentions.... Non alcoholic wine?
So......... How did the dinner go?
What recipe did you go with, and how well was the dinner received?
Any suggestions on improving what you prepared?
Everything went great. Made one small batch without wine in it. I liked the one with the red wine in it more, maybe just put being used to it,'but both were good. Everyone wanted to try both and the Muslim friend was also happy. . Thanks for all the input and recipes .
Did the muslim friend also try the wine version?
No Odile in Italy and especially in Bologna (the culinary delight of Italy) certain things really are essential !! One goes to Bologna just to taste.
Exquisite handmade pasta with ragu (real bolognese) a red wine with bouquet, music, culture and love are essential elements of Italian living.
Bolognese without wine is not quite right, but necessary to suit different cultures.
If she would have, I would have told her off for making me over work to make a second batch just for her. She was happy with her non wine version.