Lets GET Italian

So after all the love I received from the pic of the Penne Bolognese I posted on IG I decided to post the recipe here on my blog for all those who want to try it at home. Its fairly simple and I guarantee it will be a hit with your family and friends. There are also two parts to the recipe that I use; one part is the actual marinara sauce and the second part is the actual bolognese sauce. If you want you can simply get some store bought tomato sauce and just skip to the bolognese portion however in my opinion making your own marinara is soooooo much better and flavorful. For this recipe you can use any pasta you wish whether it be spaghetti, linguine or my personal favorite penne. Just follow the instructions on the packaging and cook to al dente. Anyways here goes....

---

Marinara Sauce

4 cans (14.5 oz) Whole Peeled Plum Tomatoes

2 cup Tomato Paste

1/4 cup Dark Brown Sugar (light brown works fine also)

1/2 Large Yellow Onion (Peeled and small diced)

4 tbsp Fresh Chopped Garlic

2 tbsp Dried Oregano

2 tbsp Dried Basil Leaves

1 tbsp Chopped Fresh Thyme

1 Bay Leaf

3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Kosher Salt

Butchers Grind Black Pepper

Method:

1) Puree the plum tomatoes until smooth using a stick blender or a regular blender.

2) In a large pot over medium high heat add the olive oil and wait about a min for it to get hot and then add the onions, thyme, garlic and bay leaf and cook for about 2-3 mins while stirring as so it doesn't burn. (Garlic burns quite easily)

3) Add the pureed tomatoes and bring to a simmer.

4) Add the tomato paste, brown sugar, basil and oregano and whisk into the tomatoes until the tomato paste is well incorporated. Season to taste with kosher salt and butchers grind black pepper

5) Simmer on low heat for about 45 mins stirring the bottom of the pot every so often as to not let the bottom burn.

6) Remove from heat and set aside to cool

---

Bolognese Sauce

2 lbs Ground Beef

1/2 Large Yellow Onion (Peeled and Small Diced)

1 Medium Carrots (Peeled and Small Diced)

2 tbsp Fresh Chopped Garlic

1 tbsp Fresh Chopped Thyme

1/2 cup Red Wine (You can use the wine you usually drink)

2 quart Homemade Marinara Sauce (or the one you bought from the store)

2 tbsp Olive Oil

Kosher Salt

Butcher Grind Black Pepper

Method

1) In a large pot over medium high heat add the olive oil and wait for it to start smoking then add your ground beef. Constantly stir the beef over the heat until all of it has turned brown.

2) Add the onions, carrot, thyme, and garlic and cook for bout 5 mins or so until the onions begin to turn soft and translucent.

3) Add the red wine and let simmer for about another 5 mins or so.

4) Stir in your marinara sauce and let simmer on medium heat for about 30 mins while stirring the bottom of the pot as not to let it burn.

5) Season to taste with kosher salt and black pepper.

6) Remove from heat and set aside and let cool. (This is a good time to cook your pasta)

---

Assembly

1) In a saute pan (or frying pan as we like to say in the Bahamas) add your bolognese sauce and bring up to a simmer.

2) Add in your cooked pasta and toss together until the sauce is thoroughly mixed with the pasta.

3) Adjust for seasoning one last time if needed and plate up in your pasta bowl, topped with either grated Parmesan or freshly shaved Pecorino Romano cheese and boom Enjoy!!!