2813. TAGLIATELLE with STAR ANISE and SMOKED BACON BOLOGNESE

serves four


fresh tagliatelle, cooked in a large pan of boiling salted water
2 teaspoons sunflower oil
2-3 rashers smoked bacon (back or streaky), finely chopped
500 grams lean beef mince
1 onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, peeled and finely diced
2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 can chopped tomatoes
1 whole star anise
500 ml beef stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large frying pan and cook the bacon for 3-4 minutes, until all the water (if any) has been released and boiled away and the bacon starts to crisp. Add the mince and continue to cook until the mince is browned all over, approx. 5-6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and wipe the pan clean. Add the other tablespoon of oil and cook the onions, then chopped carrot, then garlic, until soft, taking care not to burn, approx. 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and star anise to the pan and stir through. Return the mince and bacon to the pan and stir through. Add the stock and bring to the boil. At this stage, you can either reduce the Bolognese to a very low simmer and cook for approx. 1 hour, until the meat is tender, but my preferred method for a deeper flavour a slow cooker. Transfer the Bolognese mixture to a slow cooker, set on LOW, and cook for 2-3 hours until the mince is tender. Serve with (ideally) fresh tagliatelle, cooked in a large pan of boiling salted water according to packet instructions, approx. 3-4 minutes.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Keith Kendrick, Reluctant Housedad's Recipe Shed, January 14, 2013