Galinas Meat Sauce Recipes

ITALIAN MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large heavy bottomed pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion until translucent. This should take 5 - 8 minutes. The longer you cook the onions, the sweeter they become.
• Add garlic and cook just until fragrant.
• Add the beef and veal (if using) and cook until it's browned. I use lean meat which means there's little fat left in the pan. I don't bother draining it. If you find a lot of fat you can remove it using a turkey baster or skim it off the top later. Don't mistake water for fat. I've found lesser grades of meat release more liquid than say Angus. If that's the case, cook and stir a few minutes and it will evaporate.
• Sprinkle in the granulated garlic, salt and pepper and stir.
• Stir in the tomato paste and cook until it loses its bright red color.
• Add the ground peeled tomatoes and the tomato puree, sugar and basil.
• Bring to a boil then lower to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened about 1 hour. Taste and adjust for more salt and pepper.

GALINA'S MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, heat 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-heat. When it is hot, add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Push the vegetables to the side a bit, add the garlic, season the vegetables with 2 teaspoons of the salt and 3/4 teaspoon of the pepper, and cook for another 2 minutes. While the vegetables are cooking, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large saute pan over high heat. When it is very hot, add half of the meat and cook, breaking up the clumps, until browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer the meat to the pot with the cooked vegetables. Repeat with the other half of the meat. Add the bay leaves, oregano, 1 cup water, the sugar, tomatoes and their liquid, and tomato paste to the meat and vegetables. Mix well and bring to a boil. Season with the remaining 2 teaspoons of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Reduce the heat to low or medium-low, cook for 45 minutes. Adjust the seasonings. Serve with pasta of your choice, or use in making lasagna.

BASIC MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook until softened, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon until no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add tomatoes and juice, breaking up tomatoes. Simmer over medium heat until thickened and saucy, 45 to 60 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.