Cafe Pierre's Classic Spaghetti Bolognese

By nurseliz

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 carrot, finely diced
• 1/2 onion, finely diced
• 2 ribs celery, finely diced
• 3 large cloves garlic, chopped
• 5 About 5 tablespoons (3 ounces) tomato paste
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons dry white wine
• 1/4 cup veal stock or beef broth
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pound spaghetti, cooked to dente
• Grated Parmigiano Reggiano, to taste

Preparation

Step 1

In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter with the oil
over medium heat. Add the meat and brown, stirring frequently, 10
to 15 minutes, careful not to burn.

Using a slotted spoon, strain the meat from the pan, leaving the
fat (it will seem like a lot of fat, but the fat will be absorbed
into the sauce as it slowly cooks). Add the carrot, onion and
celery to the pan, stirring until the vegetables are translucent
and soft, about 15 minutes. Stir in the garlic.

Add the tomato paste and cook for 5 minutes to marry the flavors.
Stir in the white wine and cook until the wine is reduced, about 5
minutes.

Stir the meat back into the pan along with the veal stock, thyme, 1
teaspoon salt and one-half teaspoon pepper, or to taste. Gently
cook over low heat until the flavors are married, 45 minutes to an
hour, stirring occasionally. Serve with the spaghetti and grated
Parmigiano to taste.