Tuscan/Italian Meat Sauce

1. 1

   CHOP the onion, celery, carrot and parsley finely.

2. 2

   IN a frying pan on medium heat, heat up the two tablespoons of olive oil, add the chopped ingredients and allow them to soften.

3. 3

   ADD the meat, mix everything together and cook over a gentle flame until the meat has changed colour. Add the tomato conserva or ripe, diced tomatoes. Less tomato lets the meat flavor come through strongly; more tomato gives a more 'blended taste'

4. 4

   SIMMER gently for half an hour and season to taste with salt and black pepper. If the mixture is too dry add a little more olive oil or tomato. Never add water.

5. 5

   COOK the pasta, drain, pour into warm bowl. Add the meat sauce, stir, and serve. Parmesan cheese is optional.

6. 6

   VARIATION: You can make this sauce substituting mushrooms for the meat: about 6 oz fresh mushrooms or 1 oz of dried porcini mushrooms (soaked for 1 hour). Both these sauces are excellent with pasta and polenta and delicious in lasagne.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.