My Spag Bol Recipes

SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4.
• Peel and finely chop the garlic and onions, pick and finely chop the rosemary, then finely slice the bacon.
• Heat a splash of oil in a casserole pan on a medium heat, add the bacon, rosemary, garlic and onion and cook for 5 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally.
• Add the minced beef, breaking it apart with the back of a spoon, then cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until starting to brown, then pour in the wine. Leave to bubble and cook away.
• Meanwhile, drain and tip the sun-dried tomatoes into a food processor, blitz to a paste, then add to the pan with the tomatoes. Stir well, break the plum tomatoes apart a little.
• Cover with a lid then place in the oven for 1 hour, removing the lid and giving it a stir after 30 minutes - if it looks a little dry at this stage, add a splash of water to help it along.
• About 10 minutes before the time is up, cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water according to the packet instructions.
• Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain, reserving a mugful of cooking water, then return to the pan with a few spoons of Bolognese, a good grating of Parmesan and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
• Toss to coat the spaghetti, loosening with a splash of cooking water, if needed.
• Divide the spaghetti between plates or bowls, add a good spoonful of Bolognese to each, then serve with a fine grating of Parmesan.

SPAG BOL

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onions and garlic until onions are tender. Stir in red bell pepper and saute 2 minutes.
• Place ground beef in the skillet and cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Stir in beef broth, diced tomatoes, wine and tomato paste. Bring to a boil and add celery, bay leaves and Italian seasoning.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, or until sauce thickens.

SPAG BOL

Steps:

• Over a moderate heat, soften onions and celery, add garlic and bacon and fry until cooked.
• Add mince, this can either be done in batches or else all at the same time, depending on the size of your pan. Let cook through for a few mins, drain the fat if needed carefully, there can be quite a lot depending on what kind of mince you are using.
• Stir in tomato puree, let cook for a minute and then add the tinned tomatoes. I use 2 tins and some water if you like a thinner sauce. Season lightly and let simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add the herbs and sugar, these can be added according to taste. Let simmer for another 10 mins and adjust seasoning. Add mushrooms near the end of cooking, giving them a chance to soften but still keep their shape.
• Serve with spaghetti straight away.

FINBAR'S VEGGIE SPAG BOL

Steps:

• Roughly chop, then whizz the veggies in a food processor until finely chopped.
• Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the veggies for about 8 minutes until soft. Stir in the lentils, tomatoes, stock, oregano and cinnamon. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Season then simmer for a further 5 minutes.
• Cook the spaghetti according to packet instructions. Serve with the sauce and grated cheese.