Sitting down to eat what is arguably one of the most romantic dishes ever, pasta and a bottle of wine, is one of the quintessential dates you can have in your life. But making the perfect bolognese sauce is a process not easily mastered. That is, until now. In this article, you’ll discover how to make the perfect spaghetti bolognese that is rich in taste and beautifully red and shiny. So sit back, relax, and get ready to impress your date with this mouth-watering masterpiece.
The Sauce Is Key
There are endless variations of bolognese sauces, but the most basic version is made with red and dry cured meats (such as pancetta and prosciutto) along with a few vegetables (usually onions and carrots) and some whole peeled new potatoes. It is the perfect basic for when you are first learning how to make a delicious Italian meal and do not have extensive experience baking or frying. All of this may seem easy enough, but making the perfect bolognese takes a bit of practice. There are a few tricks to get the most out of your pasta and ensure that each bite is tender and the sauce is perfect in consistency. Let’s get started.
Use Thin Pasta
When you are making pasta, always use the same tool to manually cut the strands. Do not use a food processor to cut the pasta strands as the machine will turn the raw dough into a rubbery mass that will ruin your sauce. Furthermore, store-bought pasta can be quite hefty, so you might find yourself struggling to bring it down to a manageable serving size for your guest. When you are shopping for fresh pasta, look for thicker strands so that each bite is filled with flavor. There are many different types of pasta, and sometimes the taste can be a bit overwhelming. For example, if you are using spinach pasta, you might want to opt for an egg-free version or one that incorporates less spinach so that the flavor is not so strong. The same goes for other types of thick pasta, like whole wheat pasta or caviar pasta. So, do not just go for the cheapest option or the one that is easily available at your local supermarket. Consider all of the options and try out a few types, so that you can find the perfect one that suits your taste buds.
Do Not Overcook The Meat
When you are incorporating lots of meat into your sauce, remember that the internal temperature is all-important. This should always be checked using a meat thermometer, especially when you are using thicker cuts of meat (like ribs or briskets). If the meat begins to brown too quickly before the sauce has cooked through, then remove it from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes. The key to making the most of your dinner is to keep everything warm and the flavors intact. When you are using smaller cuts of meat (such as chicken thighs or breasts) you can always opt for barbeques that heat up the entire dinner. There is nothing worse than serving overcooked meat, so do not let this happen to you. The only way to prevent this is by using a thermometer and noting the internal temperature of everything you make. When it comes to making a delicious meal, safety first. You should always take the necessary precautions to avoid food poisoning.
Try Out Several Ketchup Options
When you are making a large batch of bolognese, then you might want to add a couple of different ketchup options. There is no set formula when it comes to making a good ketchup, and sometimes the cheaper the bottle, the more artificial it tends to be. A good ketchup should always be thick, and it should not have an artificial taste. One trick to adding a little difference to your cooking is to add a touch of molasses or brown sugar to your regular ketchup. Both of these are quite versatile when it comes to adding to a dish’s flavor, as well as making it a bit sweeter. You can also try adding a touch of sriracha, which is a popular Asian chile sauce. A good ketchup should always be kept in the fridge, and it should be stored in a dark and cool place, so that it does not begin to lose its flavor. This is usually achieved by keeping it out of the direct sunlight and preventing it from freezing, so if you do have trouble keeping things cool, then try adding a couple of ice cubes to the container.
Use Free-Range Fresh Eggs
To make the most out of your pasta, always use the best quality ingredients. Nothing can ruin a perfectly made bolognese sauce more than poor-quality eggs or diced tomatoes. It can be quite difficult to determine the exact moment that a chicken egg has been laid, so always opt for fresh eggs whenever possible. Even if you are using store bought pasta, then it is always better to cook and serve your sauce using fresh ingredients. If you are serving this to someone who is vegetarian or vegan, then make sure to replace the meat with something more palatable. Sometimes, a good fake meat option or some vegetables will do the trick quite nicely. Sometimes, in a pinch, you can use a rice cooker, so all you then need to do is add your sauce and let it cook for a couple of hours on high heat. Of course, if you are using a rice cooker, then you may not need to add any salt or pepper as the rice will provide this already. Simply add your favorite vegetables, and let your rice cooker do the rest. This is a great way to save time, so do not be afraid to give it a try whenever you can.
Do Not Overuse The Flavored Butter
To add more flavor to your sauce, then you might want to opt for some flavored butter of your choice. Some popular choices include anchovy butter and black butter, but you can use any type of butter that you may have on hand. Remember to use it sparingly as too much butter will cause your sauce to be watery. If you are using anchovy butter, then you might want to consider using a different cut of meat than usual, as this type of butter can be quite strong, and it is mostly used to improve the flavor of other dishes. This is because anchovy butter is mostly added at the end of the cooking process, so any meat or plant-based ingredients higher in fat are more likely to become greasy rather than moist and juicy. If you opt for black butter, then you might want to add a touch more salt as this type of butter is quite low in taste, so it often goes unused and stays in the fridge. This is usually the case when the butter is blended with coffee, as the coffee gives off a strong flavor that some people find objectionable. However, if you are using unsalted butter with no other additions, then there is no need to worry about it going bad as it will stay fresh for several days stored this way. The key to making the most out of your pasta is to keep everything as simple as possible, and do not be afraid to try out new things. After all, new ingredients, new flavors, and new ideas are what make this foodie world go round.