The 50-50% Bolognese
Bolognese is the ideal batch cooking dish. It can stay in the fridge for a few days and an ideal dish for dividing to portions and store in the freezer. It’s made of 50% meat and 50% vegetables, hence the name.
It’s my go-to for families with young children and fussy eaters because it is a great way to add more veggies to everyone’s plates without them noticing it. Everything a feeding mom or a tired dad needs to get their nutrition going. It’s also a great way to clear the fridge of old veggies that are too good to go but not fresh enough to be eaten uncooked.
Ingredients
500g minced beef or 250g minced beef and 250g minced lamb
400g vegetables - carrots, peppers, celery , tomatos, mushrooms, courgettes. Whatever you have left in the fridge
1 onion (red or white)
3 garlic cloves
1 tin of tomatoes polpa (I like Mutti’s)
Thyme
Salt
Black pepper ground
0.5 teaspoon brown sugar or honey
Method
Finely chop all the vegetables, including the onion and garlic. I use the Ninja for that.
While the veggies are getting chopped, pour 2 spoons of olive oil in a big pot and place it on the hob, medium heat.
Add the meat to the pot and stir until the meat is brown (approx. 5 mins)
Add the chopped vegetables to the meat and mix
Add the tomatoes polpa and the seasoning.
Stir well. If it looks a bit dry, add 0.5 cup of water.
Taste and fix the seasoning the way you like it
Let it bubble and then lower the heat to low-mid and cook for 2 hours minimum
Serve with pasta, with a bit of Parmesan and dry chilli if you like
