*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                         CHRISTMAS PASTA SAUCE

Recipe By     :
Serving Size  : 6    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    :
 Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
    1/4   c            Extra-virgin olive oil
                       Small carrot -- *
                       Small onion -- *
                       Small celery stk -- *
                       Large garlic clove*
  1       lb           Italian sausage
    1/3   lb           Ground beef
  6 1/2   oz           Pancetta -- diced
    1/2   ts           Salt
    1/2   ts           Freshly ground pepper
    1/4   ts           Freshly grated nutmeg
    1/2   c            Dry red wine
    1/2   c            Tomato paste
  1       c            Italian tomatoes -- chopped
  2       tb           Parsely *

 1/2,1   oz dried porcini mushrooms * Finely chopped
 This is the other recipe I described.  According to
 the author, this ragu from Emilia Romagna is served by
 many Italians with the traditional pasta course at
 Christmas. It is really good.  Enjoy- 1. Soak the
 porcini in warm water for at least 1/2 hour. Remove
 from the water, squeeze dry and chop. 2. Meanwhile, in
 a large saucepan or flameproof casserole, heat the
 olive oil over moderate heat. Add the carrot, onion
 and celery and saute until the onion is golden, about
 4 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook until fragrant,
 about 1 minute. 3.  Add the sausage, ground beef and
 pancetta to the pan. Cook over moderate heat, stirring
 to break up the meat, until the beef and sausage are
 no longer pink.
  Drain off any fat. Season with the salt, pepper and
 nutmeg. 4. Pour in the red wine and cook, stirring
 occasionally, until it evaporates, about 5 minutes.
  Add the tomato paste, tomatoes, porcini and 1/2 cup
 of warm water. Simmer for 30 minutes.  If the sauce
 gets too thick, add a little more water. (The recipe

 can be made to this point up to 2 days ahead.  Cover
 and refrigerate; reheat before serving.)  Add the
 parsley just before serving. FROM: SUSAN BURGESS
   (PDFX51B)



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