1757. HOMEMADE PAPPARDELLE with BACON and BOLOGNESE SAUCE

makes ten servings


Bolognese sauce:
5 tablespoons butter
7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups chopped onions
1 1/4 cups chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped carrot
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 pounds ground beef (15% fat)
1 1/2 pounds antelope sausages or spicy Italian sausages, casings removed
3/4 pound ground venison or ground beef (15% fat)
3/4 pound bacon, chopped
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
3/4 cup tomato paste (about 7 1/2 ounces)
Homemade Pappardelle (recipe below)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus additional for passing


Homemade Pappardelle
makes 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 pounds

5 cups all purpose flour, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
6 large eggs, divided
6 large egg yolks, divided
6 tablespoons (or more) water, divided

Place 2 1/2 cups flour and 3/4 teaspoon salt in processor; blend 5 seconds. Whisk 3 eggs, 3 yolks, and 3 tablespoons water in bowl.

With machine running, pour egg mixture through feed tube. Blend until sticky dough forms, adding water by teaspoonfuls if dry.

Scrape dough out onto floured work surface. Knead dough until smooth and no longer sticky, sprinkling lightly with flour as needed if sticky, about 8 minutes. Shape into ball. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest 45 minutes. Repeat with remaining flour, salt, eggs, yolks, and water.

Divide each dough ball into 4 pieces. Cover dough with plastic wrap.

Set pasta machine to widest setting. Flatten 1 dough piece into 3-inch-wide rectangle. Run through machine 5 times, dusting lightly with flour if sticking. Continue to run piece through machine, adjusting to next-narrower setting after every 5 passes, until dough is about 26 inches long. Cut crosswise into 3 equal pieces. Run each piece through machine, adjusting to next-narrower setting, until strip is scant 1/16 inch thick and 14 to 16 inches long. Return machine to original setting for each piece. Arrange strips in single layer on sheets of parchment.

Repeat with remaining dough. Let strips stand until slightly dry to touch, 20 to 30 minutes. Fold strips in half so short ends meet, then fold in half again. Cut strips into 2/3-inch-wide pappardelle.


Homemade Pappardelle with Bacon and Bolognese Sauce

Melt butter with oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add next 4 ingredients. Sauté until vegetables are soft but not brown, 12 to 14 minutes. Add beef, sausage, venison, and bacon. Increase heat to high. Cook until meat is brown, breaking into small pieces with back of spoon, about 15 minutes.

Stir in milk, wine, and tomato paste. Reduce heat to low. Simmer until sauce is thick, flavors blend, and juices are reduced, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cool 1 hour. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and chill. Rewarm over low heat.

Cook pasta in very large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring often, 4 to 5 minutes if cooking immediately or 5 to 6 minutes if previously chilled. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Return pasta to same pot. Add warm Bolognese and 1 cup cheese. Toss over medium heat until heated through, adding reserved cooking liquid by 1/4 cupfuls if dry. Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer pasta to large shallow bowl. Serve, passing additional cheese.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Kate Ewald, Bon Appétit, March 2010