The Ultimate Bolognese Sauce

Ingredients for The Ultimate Bolognese Sauce

• 2 bay leaves

• 3 whole cloves

• 2 teaspoons fennel seeds

• 1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

• 1/4 teaspoons black peppercorns

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 90g chicken livers, rinsed, finely chopped

• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more

• Freshly ground pepper

• 1/2 large onion, finely chopped

• 1/2 small bunch thyme

• 60ml Mama Lil's Kick Butt

• Peppers in Oil or Peppadew peppers

• 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 1 400g can whole peeled tomatoes

• 80ml red wine

• 675g beef mince chuck (20% fat)

• 450g pork mince shoulder (Boston butt)

• 350ml whole milk

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 350g pappardelle

• 350g unsalted butter

• 90g Parmesan, finely grated (about 180ml )

Toast spices in a dry small skillet over medium heat, tossing often, until fragrant, about 2 minutes (this releases their flavour). Let cool, then finely grind in a spice mill (or use a mortar and pestle).

Preheat oven to 250°. Heat oil in a medium ovenproof pot over medium-high. Add livers and stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until livers are deeply browned.almost burned, really—5-8 minutes. Add onion, thyme, and Mama Lil's peppers; stir to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring as needed, until onion is brown and soft, 5–8 minutes more. Stir in garlic and cook until soft, about 2 minutes. Stir in spice mixture and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.

Add tomatoes, then wine, stirring and scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Add meat and stir to combine (the mixture will be fairly stiff but will loosen as it cooks). Add milk and mix well—everything should be evenly coated.

Cover pot with a lid and transfer to oven; bake for 6 hours.

Remove pot from oven. The sauce will have firmed up; stir to loosen. Pluck out thyme and, using an immersion blender, puree sauce until smooth. Add vinegar and season with salt and pepper. To serve the sauce like Chef Easton does, see opposite page.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.