Mary Berry’s Bolognese Sauce Recipe: A Family Favorite
Mary Berry’s classic bolognese sauce is a beloved family recipe. It boasts a rich, hearty flavour and versatility. This tomato-based sauce blends minced beef, pork, vegetables, and aromatic herbs.
It’s perfect for various Italian-inspired dishes, from spaghetti bolognese to lasagna. The recipe uses simple pantry staples and is easy to prepare. It’s ideal for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
Mary’s version includes unique ingredients like white wine and double cream. These add depth of flavour and a velvety texture. The recipe serves six, making it great for batch cooking and freezing.
By following Mary Berry’s bolognese sauce recipe, you’ll create a dish your family will love. Its meaty, tomatoey, and creamy flavours will satisfy even picky eaters.
Understanding Mary Berry’s Classic Italian-Inspired Sauce
Mary Berry’s Bolognese sauce showcases her expertise in Italian cooking. It features a unique blend of pork and beef mince. The sauce’s slow-cooking method in the oven brings out complex flavours.
The Secret Behind Her Two-Meat Blend
Mary Berry’s Bolognese stands out due to its pork and beef mince combination. This blend creates an unmatched depth of flavour. Pork adds sweetness, while beef provides a savoury base.
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Why Slow Cooking Makes a Difference
Slow cooking is crucial in Mary Berry’s Bolognese recipe. Oven-baking allows ingredients to blend thoroughly, intensifying flavours. This method ensures tender meat and a velvety smooth sauce texture.
The Controversial Cream Addition
Adding double cream to Bolognese is a debated aspect of Berry’s recipe. She insists it enriches the sauce without curdling. The result is a creamy Bolognese that delights the palate.
“Slow cooking is the key to achieving the perfect Bolognese sauce. The longer you let it simmer, the more the flavours will develop and intensify.”
– Mary Berry, renowned British chef and author
Essential Ingredients for Mary Berry Bolognese Sauce Recipe
Mary Berry’s classic Bolognese sauce requires fresh ingredients and carefully chosen components. The heart of this rich dish blends 500g each of pork and beef mince. The sauce base uses 400g chopped tomatoes and 200ml beef stock.
Fresh Produce and Herbs Selection
The recipe needs onions, celery, carrots, and garlic to form the sauce base. These create a flavourful soffritto. Thyme and bay leaves infuse the sauce with aromatic notes.
Meat and Stock Components
The two-meat blend lends depth to the Bolognese. Three tablespoons of sundried tomato paste and 150ml of red wine add complexity. These ingredients enhance the sauce’s rich flavour.
Special Additions and Seasonings
Four tablespoons of double cream give the sauce a velvety texture. Salt, pepper, and optional fresh basil allow the flavours to shine. These final touches perfect the dish.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Pork Mince | 500g |
| Beef Mince | 500g |
| Chopped Tomatoes | 400g |
| Beef Stock | 200ml |
| Sundried Tomato Paste | 3 tbsp |
| Red Wine | 150ml |
| Double Cream | 4 tbsp |
| Thyme | – |
| Bay Leaves | 2 |
| Salt and Pepper | to taste |
| Fresh Basil (optional) | – |
These essential ingredients create Mary Berry’s Bolognese sauce. The result is a rich, flavourful, and comforting dish that delights the senses.
Kitchen Equipment and Preparation Steps
Mary Berry’s Bolognese sauce requires specific cooking equipment and careful prep. Let’s explore the essential tools and steps for this flavourful dish.
Cooking Equipment
- A large, oven-proof pot or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid to simmer the sauce
- A separate pot for cooking the pasta
- Two sturdy spatulas for mixing and stirring the Bolognese sauce
Preparation Steps
- Chop the onion, carrot, celery, and yellow pepper into small, uniform pieces.
- Mince the garlic cloves using a press or finely chop them with a knife.
- Measure out the ground beef, chopped tomatoes, herbs, and other ingredients according to the recipe.
- Preheat the oven to the specified temperature if the recipe calls for oven-baking.
The perfect Bolognese sauce needs thorough mixing and stirring of ingredients. Use two spatulas to gently blend the components.
This method ensures even flavour distribution. It also prevents the sauce from sticking to the pot during simmering.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ground beef/minced beef | 500g (1.1 lb) |
| Chopped tomatoes (tinned) | 2 x 400g (13oz) |
| Carrot | 1 |
| Large onion | 1 |
| Celery stick | 1 |
| Yellow pepper | ½ |
| Vegetable oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Black pepper | ⅛ teaspoon |
| Italian herbs | 1 tablespoon |
| Chopped parsley | 1 tablespoon |
| Beef stock | 1 cube |
| Garlic cloves | 3 |
With the right cooking equipment and preparation techniques, you’ll create a mouthwatering Bolognese sauce. This kitchen tool-inspired dish is sure to impress your guests.
The Perfect Cooking Method: From Hob to Oven
Mary Berry’s bolognese sauce recipe is a masterclass in slow cooking. It begins with a soffritto base of sautéed onions, carrots, and celery. The mince, a blend of pork and beef, is then browned to seal in the flavours.
Creating the Perfect Soffritto Base
A well-made soffritto is crucial for an exceptional bolognese. Berry suggests frying the vegetables in a large, heavy-based pan until softened. This process takes about 10 minutes, resulting in a flavourful foundation.
Temperature Control and Timing
After the soffritto, the mince is browned. Then, other ingredients are stirred in, including garlic, tomato paste, and wine. The oven is preheated to 160°C (140°C fan).
The pan is transferred to the oven for the first hour of cooking. This allows the flavours to develop slowly and evenly.
Berry’s Signature Oven-Baking Technique
After an hour, rich double cream is added to the sauce. It then returns to the oven for another hour. This slow-cooking method is key to Berry’s exceptional bolognese.
The result is a velvety-smooth sauce with deep, robust flavours. It pairs perfectly with pappardelle pasta, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil leaves.
Serving Suggestions and Pasta Pairing
Mary Berry’s Bolognese sauce shines when paired with thicker pasta shapes like pappardelle. This choice creates an authentic Italian dining experience. The robust flavours of the sauce complement the heartier pasta perfectly.
Enhance your dish with a generous grating of Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. For balance, serve with garlic bread and a crisp green salad. These additions complement the rich pasta pairing and offer delightful serving ideas.
| Serving Suggestion | Details |
|---|---|
| Pasta | Pappardelle is the recommended choice for an authentic Italian experience, as the thick ribbons of pasta perfectly complement the hearty Bolognese sauce. |
| Garnishes | Grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves add a delicious finishing touch to the dish. |
| Accompaniments | Garlic bread and a fresh green salad help to balance the richness of the Bolognese sauce. |
Mary Berry’s expert guidance helps home cooks create a mouthwatering Italian dining experience. Her Bolognese recipe promises to delight the senses and satisfy even the most discerning palates.
Conclusion
Mary Berry’s Bolognese sauce recipe offers a rich, flavourful twist on the classic Italian dish. It features a unique two-meat blend and slow-cooking method. The addition of cream sets it apart from traditional recipes.
This versatile sauce is perfect for family meals. It’s easy to prepare and could become a kitchen staple. Mary Berry’s culinary expertise shines through in this recipe.
Her book “Mary Berry’s Absolute Favourites” provides detailed instructions and photos. These help home cooks recreate the dish with confidence. The sauce pairs well with pasta or can be enjoyed on its own.
Mary Berry’s Bolognese sauce blends traditional flavours with modern cooking techniques. It captures the essence of comfort food and nostalgia. This recipe is a delightful addition to any family’s mealtime repertoire.
FAQ
What is the key feature of Mary Berry’s Bolognese sauce recipe?
Mary Berry’s Bolognese sauce recipe features a unique two-meat blend. It combines pork and beef mince for a richer, more authentic Italian flavour.
Why does Mary Berry recommend slow cooking the sauce?
Mary Berry suggests oven-baking the sauce for two hours. This slow-cooking method enhances the flavour and makes the meat more tender.
What is the controversial addition in Mary Berry’s Bolognese sauce?
Mary Berry adds double cream to her Bolognese sauce. She claims this enriches the sauce without causing it to curdle.
What are the key ingredients in Mary Berry’s Bolognese sauce?
The sauce includes fresh onions, celery, carrots, and garlic. It also contains pork and beef mince, passata, and chopped tomatoes.
Other ingredients are beef stock, sundried tomato paste, white wine, and double cream.
What equipment is needed to prepare Mary Berry’s Bolognese sauce?
You’ll need an oven-proof large pot with a lid for the sauce. A separate pot is required for cooking the pasta.
Two spatulas are useful for thorough mixing and preventing the sauce from sticking.
How does Mary Berry recommend serving the Bolognese sauce?
Mary Berry suggests using thicker pasta shapes like pappardelle, rather than thin spaghetti. This creates a more authentic Italian experience.
She recommends garnishing with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.
