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!