Spaghetti bolognese with meatballs

these two recipes were prompted by requests through my facebook photo album and I am sharing this with them, so that they can also enjoy a taste of Italian in their kitchen once in a while, like I do with my family.
my version of simple spaghetti bolognese with meatballs:

heat olive oil in a pan
saute chopped onion and garlic ( crushed)
then, add in minced meat, fry till the meat is cooked
add in meatballs ( optional)
note: you can also add in diced carrots if you like at this stage

pour in a bottle of spaghetti sauce( store bought )
sprinkle some oregano
parsley, basil, thyme,
black pepper
( or just buy the bolognese spices or italian spices)
add in a blob ( one tablespoon )of tomato puree
add in some water , with beef stock cubes
to taste, add in salt and a bit of sugar
taste it, and it's done, after simmering for close to half an hour.

meanwhile or before you start making the sauce, boil some water
when it starts to boil, sprinkle in some salt and put in the spaghetti, boil it till the pasta is tender.
my way of testing whether the spaghetti is ready or not, is by throwing it on to the wall, if it gets stuck there, then it is done, if not, boil it some more, make sure to clean the wall afterwards, okay....hehe....
I like to eat mine with hard boiled eggs.


LASAGNA


or a formal written recipe for the bolognese is as follows:
BOLOGNESE SAUCE:
725g/ 1 1/2 lb minced meat
1 large onion
1 garlic
2 tbs oil , preferably olive oil
400g can peeled tomatoes
4 tbs tomato puree
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp thyme
1 litre ( 4 cups) water
salt, pepper

chopped and fry the onions in the olive oil
stir in minced meat,
then put in the rest of the ingredients
bring to boil, reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes.

Note: can also use this bolognese sauce as the sauce for lasagna

the difference between lasagna and spaghetti is the cheese ssauce:

CHEESE SAUCE:
60g/2 oz butter
1/3 cup plain flour
salt, pepper
pinch of nutmeg
2 cups milk
125g/ 4 oz chedar cheese
3 tbsp grated parmesan

method:
melt butter in a saucepan
add flour, salr, pepper and nutmeg, blned until smooth, stir over heat for a bout 1 minute
gradually add in milk, stir until sauce boils and thickens
reduce heat, cook 1 minute
remove from heat, stir in grated cheddar, stir until cheese melts

Note: detail recipe for lasagna is in my earlier post.


Bon appetit!