Spicy Bolognese Sauce

A bold, peppery Bolognese Sauce to top your pasta this cold winter day!   If you plan to serve this to children who have a more sensitive palate, I would suggest halving the pepper it calls for.   This sauce is even better the second day & freezes very well.

INGREDIENTS:

1 lg. onion, diced  (optional)

3 cloves garlic, crushed

2T olive oil

2T butter

1/2lb. ground beef

1/2 lb. ground pork

4 oz tomato paste

1 (15oz) can tomato sauce

1 can mushrooms

1 T sugar

3/4 cup red wine

1 tsp salt

2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

WHAT TO DO:

*In a large pot, saute onion in olive oil & butter until soft but not brown.   We don’t like onion so I eliminate this step.

*Stir in meats, salt, & pepper and brown well.

*Add tomato paste, tomato sauce, mushrooms, & sugar.   Mix.   Add wine. Mix.

*Add water almost to the top of the pot.   Stir well. Add seasonings and stir.

*Cook, uncovered on simmer.   Stir occasionally.   Reduce liquid and thicken for about 1 hour, or until almost desired consistency.

*Cover & continue to cook for another hour or more.

Serve over pasta!