Rachael's Daytime Talk Show
Meat Sauce with Pork and Fennel -- 01/11/13

Meat Sauce with Pork and Fennel

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/4 pound pancetta, finely chopped
  • 1 1/4 pounds ground pork shoulder
  • 1 bulb fennel, trimmed and finely chopped
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, finely chopped
  • 4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 small chili pepper, seeded and finely chopped or 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • A small handful sage leaves, very thinly sliced
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 1/2 cups passata or 1 15-ounce can crushed or puréed tomatoes
  • 1 pound egg tagliatelle or spaghetti
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • A handful grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Yields: 4

Preparation

Step

Heat a Dutch oven or saucepot with EVOO over medium-high heat. Add pancetta and render 2 minutes; add pork and lightly brown and crumble. Add the fennel, onions, carrot, garlic, chili, herbs, salt and pepper; partially cover and cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomato paste, cook 1 minute then add wine and reduce 2 minutes. Add stock and cover, simmer 30 minutes. Add tomatoes and simmer, partially covered for 20-30 minutes more at a low bubble, stirring occasionally.

Step

Bring a pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Salt water and cook pasta to al dente, removing 1/2 cup starchy cooking water just before draining. Drain pasta and add back to the warm pot but not over heat. Toss pasta with butter to melt, add starchy water and half the sauce; toss with some cheese. Serve in shallow bowls topped with more meat sauce and cheese.