Granny Rosie's Bolognese

Granny Rosie’s Bolognese

Granny Rosie’s gluten free, dairy free Bolognese sauce is a family favourite and something I always look forward to it when we visit. A simple recipe which can be used in so many pasta dishes. Granny Rosie doesn’t add the lentils to her Bolognese but with a family made up of all boys I have learnt over the years to pad out meals with lentils and vegetables! I have made the onion optional. We don’t use onion in our recipes as we are intolerant to them, but I often get asked if it’s OK to add in an onion to my recipes. Home cooking is all about cooking food that you love and enjoy. Onions are not something we enjoy but if you do then please add them in. Likewise, if you don’t like mushrooms then leave them out!

Serves 4 to 6 (dependent on appetite size)

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion (optional)

1 stick celery

500 g beef

2 carrots

3 mushrooms

Tin of tomatoes 500 g

Stock cube beef in 500 ml

Clove of garlic

Tablespoon of tomato paste

40 g red lentils 1/4 cup

Bunch of herbs chopped and some for garnish.

Method:

First let’s prepare the vegetables. Peel and finely chop an onion (optional) and the celery and place in a bowl. Grate the carrots and chop the mushrooms and place these in a separate bowl ready for cooking. Finely chop the herbs, remembering to leave some for the garnish. I use what I have in the garden but rosemary, oregano and thyme are my favourites. Dried herbs work equally well.

Place a frying pan on a low heat add the oil, garlic, onion and celery. Let these cook on a low heat for 5 to 7 minutes. You are waiting for them to go soft.

Add the mince and let this brown. Whilst this is cooking add the mushrooms and carrot to the pan.

Place the stock cube in 500 ml hot water and mix until dissolved. Add a tablespoon of tomato paste and mix again.

Once the mince is browned (around 5 minutes) add the stock cube solution and tin of tomatoes.

Finally add the red lentils and herbs and place the lid on and let it cook on a low heat for 30 minutes.

Before serving taste, add more herbs if you require and salt and pepper for seasoning to your taste.

Additional Notes:

Serve with pasta or jacket potato. Fantastic sauce to use in lasagne and other pasta dishes. Add a dash of red wine for a fuller flavour (for adults only).

I often make double the quantity and turn this into a Chili Con Carne the next day.

Equipment Used:

Frying Pan

Spoon.

Granny Rosie’s Bolognese