Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

Serves 4 people

Cooking time

1 – 1½ hours

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 600g of minced beef
• 2x400g cans chopped tomatoes
• A small handful of mixed herbs
• 6-7 fresh vine tomatoes
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• a spoonful of sugar
• Tomato puree
•  2 beef oxo cubes
• A small glass of red wine
• Long spaghetti

Cooking Method

Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan. Add the onions and garlic, frying until softened. Increase the heat and add the minced beef. Fry it until it has browned, breaking down any chunks of meat with a wooden spoon. Sprinkle the oxo cubes over the mince and stir so the colour and flavour spreads the mince. Reduce the temperature and stir in the fresh vine tomatoes leave these whole and squish when soft.

Add the glass of red wine and season well with salt and pepper, Cover with a lid and simmer the Bolognese sauce over a gentle heat for 1-1½ hours until its rich and thickened, stirring occasionally. At the end of the cooking time, add any extra seasoning if necessary after tasting your sauce you may wish to add the sugar to take any acidity from the tomatoes.

Remove from the heat to 'settle' while you cook the spaghetti in plenty of boiling (for the time stated on the packet). Drain and divide between warmed plates. Then enjoy.