Bolognese sauce. We need some comfort

This morning I went for a run after I had a strong kick of caffeine. It was 5.45, but before I exercised I had to check the update about the dreadful and "worse than hell" situation in Tacloban, in central Philippines. I was relieved to know the international community is responding as well as expect it. We all live in the same world after all. Many countries are sending aid and funds to help. Thank God. In Tacloban there are at least 10.000 people dead, all over the streets. The place looks like a garbage, the news said. The starvation could lead to horrendous things, they warned.

We are extremely lucky we live in Manila. However, our mind and heart are with those survivors and the people who passed away. Our driver hasn't heard from two of his relatives (uncle and cousin) and his anxiety is increasing every hour of silence. What could I say to him to relieve his desperation?

I didn't see Nick yesterday and I don't think I will for the rest of the week as the embassy is coordinating the relief from Australia to the Philippines and the media involved.

When my parents were divorced and things went a bit rough in my house, my father used to sit me on his lap and while he was cuddling me, he said "In difficult and painful circumstances you should cook your favorite meal, the one that gives you that special comfort that heals, if not your heart, at least your stomach". For him, it was paella. For me it is bolognese sauce because:

• It is slow cooked. The one I make, it is in the oven in a heavy  iron-cast casserole; 
• It is a hot meal. I miss cold weather so I crave for hot or warm dishes; although it is around 28 degrees outside my house in Manila, I put the air con on!
• And it has a magic effect in your mood. A nice glass of red wine, one for the sauce and another one for you, is a MUST!

I think my dad didn't want to tell me that even if you cook your most delicious dish when things are tough, it is hard to enjoy it because you have already lost your appetite...

I am sorry there are not funny bits in this post but I will try to eat my homemade tallarines alla bolognese I just made.

Tallarines alla bolognese

I will post the homemade pasta in another post

Bolognese is a meat sauce from Bologna often used for pasta. I didn't inherit a faded recipe from my nonna (but I did for the meatballs in wine!) but I have made it so many times, using a variety of cookbooks, that I got my own version. When I cook this rich sauce, I do a big pot so I can freeze it in lilttle plastic bags for a quick dinner or for unexpected visitors!

I like a mix of ground beef and a bit of pork, sauteed in butter and oil with chopped vegetables and simmered  with milk, red wine and tomatoes. Delicious.

• A knob of butter
• a lug of olive oil
• 200g pancetta, finely chopped
• Mirepoix of 1 carrot, 1 onion and 2 celery sticks, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 500g ground chuck and 250g pork mince
• 500ml milk (it softens the meat)
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 tbs tomato paste
• 375ml red wine
• 800g canned chopped tomatoes
• 2 cups beef stock
• 2 bay leaves and basil leaves

1. Preheat oven to 160C
2. Melt the butter and olive oil in a large casserole over medium heat.
3. Add the chopped pancetta and stir until it starts to crisp.
4. Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic and cook until softened over medium heat.
5. Add the meat and cook until browned (this is important as it will give it lots of flavor to the sauce), breaking the meat up.
6. Add the milk and nutmeg and simmer until the milk evaporates. Don't reduce the heat yet. Add the tomato paste, the wine and stir. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes. 
7. Add now the canned tomatoes, stock and herbs. Season.
8. Cover and cook in the oven for 2 hours. If it isn't thick enough, you may add a bit of flour mixed with a tbs of the liquid or you can finish the sauce in the stove with the lid open to evaporate some of the liquid.

This sauce is more tasty if it is made the day before. 

I should say buen provecho! anyway