The Chef Way Ragu

270 mins
Serves 1
youtube.com

Directions

  1. 1On low heat, add olive oil and pancetta to a heavy pot and slowly render the fat.
  2. 2On low heat, add olive oil and pancetta to a heavy pot and slowly render the fat.
  3. 3On low heat, add olive oil and pancetta to a heavy pot and slowly render the fat.
  4. 4Add onion, carrot and celery with a pinch of salt. Sweat gently until soft, pale and sweet, no colour.
  5. 5Add onion, carrot and celery with a pinch of salt. Sweat gently until soft, pale and sweet, no colour.
  6. 6Add onion, carrot and celery with a pinch of salt. Sweat gently until soft, pale and sweet, no colour.
  7. 7Grate in the garlic for the final 1 2 minutes, then remove the soffrito and set aside.
  8. 8Grate in the garlic for the final 1 2 minutes, then remove the soffrito and set aside.
  9. 9Grate in the garlic for the final 1 2 minutes, then remove the soffrito and set aside.
  10. 10Return the pot to high heat with a little neutral oil. Add the beef mince, breaking it up and cooking hot to drive off moisture.
  11. 11Return the pot to high heat with a little neutral oil. Add the beef mince, breaking it up and cooking hot to drive off moisture.
  12. 12Return the pot to high heat with a little neutral oil. Add the beef mince, breaking it up and cooking hot to drive off moisture.
  13. 13Once dry, lower the heat slightly and caramelise the beef slowly until deeply browned, scraping the fond regularly.
  14. 14Once dry, lower the heat slightly and caramelise the beef slowly until deeply browned, scraping the fond regularly.
  15. 15Once dry, lower the heat slightly and caramelise the beef slowly until deeply browned, scraping the fond regularly.
  16. 16Add the pork belly and gently warm through no heavy browning.
  17. 17Add the pork belly and gently warm through no heavy browning.
  18. 18Add the pork belly and gently warm through no heavy browning.
  19. 19Stir in the tomato purée and cook until it darkens and caramelises.
  20. 20Stir in the tomato purée and cook until it darkens and caramelises.
  21. 21Stir in the tomato purée and cook until it darkens and caramelises.
  22. 22Lower the heat and add the first portion of milk. Let it fully absorb into the meat.
  23. 23Lower the heat and add the first portion of milk. Let it fully absorb into the meat.
  24. 24Lower the heat and add the first portion of milk. Let it fully absorb into the meat.
  25. 25Deglaze with red wine and reduce by about half, scraping the pan clean.
  26. 26Deglaze with red wine and reduce by about half, scraping the pan clean.
  27. 27Deglaze with red wine and reduce by about half, scraping the pan clean.
  28. 28Return the soffrito to the pot, then add passata, stock, Parmesan rind, bay leaves and a pinch of nutmeg.
  29. 29Return the soffrito to the pot, then add passata, stock, Parmesan rind, bay leaves and a pinch of nutmeg.
  30. 30Return the soffrito to the pot, then add passata, stock, Parmesan rind, bay leaves and a pinch of nutmeg.
  31. 31Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook in a low oven at 120°C for 4 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  32. 32Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook in a low oven at 120°C for 4 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  33. 33Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook in a low oven at 120°C for 4 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  34. 34While cooking, make a gastrique by boiling the vinegar and sugar briefly until lightly thickened.
  35. 35While cooking, make a gastrique by boiling the vinegar and sugar briefly until lightly thickened.
  36. 36While cooking, make a gastrique by boiling the vinegar and sugar briefly until lightly thickened.
  37. 37Once cooked, remove the bay leaves and Parmesan rind.
  38. 38Once cooked, remove the bay leaves and Parmesan rind.
  39. 39Once cooked, remove the bay leaves and Parmesan rind.
  40. 40Finish with a splash of milk, cold butter for gloss, and the gastrique added gradually to balance acidity. Season to taste.
  41. 41Finish with a splash of milk, cold butter for gloss, and the gastrique added gradually to balance acidity. Season to taste.
  42. 42Finish with a splash of milk, cold butter for gloss, and the gastrique added gradually to balance acidity. Season to taste.

Ingredients

  • 1 kg beef mince (50% shin, 50% chuck)
  • 1 kg beef mince (50% shin, 50% chuck)
  • 1 kg beef mince (50% shin, 50% chuck)
  • 400 g pork belly, diced
  • 400 g pork belly, diced
  • 400 g pork belly, diced
  • 100 g pancetta, diced
  • 100 g pancetta, diced
  • 100 g pancetta, diced
  • 200 g onion, finely diced
  • 200 g onion, finely diced
  • 200 g onion, finely diced
  • 150 g carrots, finely diced
  • 150 g carrots, finely diced
  • 150 g carrots, finely diced
  • 150 g celery, finely diced
  • 150 g celery, finely diced
  • 150 g celery, finely diced
  • 1 to 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
  • 1 to 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
  • 1 to 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Neutral oil
  • Neutral oil
  • Neutral oil
  • 80 g tomato purée
  • 80 g tomato purée
  • 80 g tomato purée
  • 400 g passata
  • 400 g passata
  • 400 g passata
  • 200 ml red wine
  • 200 ml red wine
  • 200 ml red wine
  • Whole milk
  • Whole milk
  • Whole milk
  • 500 ml chicken or beef stock
  • 500 ml chicken or beef stock
  • 500 ml chicken or beef stock
  • 1 Parmesan rind
  • 1 Parmesan rind
  • 1 Parmesan rind
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 pinch nutmeg
  • 1 pinch nutmeg
  • 1 pinch nutmeg
  • Salt
  • Salt
  • Salt
  • Cold butter
  • Cold butter
  • Cold butter
  • Extra milk
  • Extra milk
  • Extra milk
  • 100 g balsamic vinegar
  • 100 g balsamic vinegar
  • 100 g balsamic vinegar
  • 50 g sugar
  • 50 g sugar
  • 50 g sugar

Equipment

heavy potovenwooden spoon

Tips

  • Season throughout the cooking process for a more rounded flavor.
  • Caramelize sofrito until soft, pale, and sweet, not dark, to avoid bitterness.
  • Brown mince deeply for maximum flavor (Maillard reaction).
  • Milk is used at two stages: first to tenderize meat and later to add roundness and bring the sauce together.
  • Scrape the bottom of the pan regularly to lift the fond and incorporate its flavor.
  • Cook in a low oven for a more even and slower cook compared to a stovetop.