Pork Ragu For A Crowd Food

PORK AND BEEF RAGU

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy pot. Take care not to overheat or burn the oil. Sprinkle the chuck and pork liberally with salt and pepper. Once the oil is hot, drop in the meat and sear until brown on all sides. Remove the meat and set aside.
• Add the tomatoes along with the juices from the cans. Lower the heat and slowly cook the tomatoes, breaking up into small pieces using a large spoon. Continue to cut the large pieces as the tomatoes cook; cutting them will become easier. Peel the garlic and remove the ends. Crush with the blade of a large chef's knife and drop into the sauce. Don't worry about the garlic pieces being too large; they, too, will break down as they cook. Return the meat to the sauce and continue cooking until the sauce has a chunky, but uniform consistency, 2 to 3 hours.
• Add the tomato paste, 1/2 can at a time, to somewhat thicken the sauce. Simmer until desired consistency, and then stir in the basil and cook for another few minutes before serving over hot pasta (any shape will do!). This is a fresh, but hearty sauce, and every serving should have a small piece of meat served on the plate. Garnish with your favorite grated cheese and enjoy.

PORCHETTA RAGU

Steps:

• Heat half the oil in a large casserole over a medium-high heat, and fry the diced pork for 5 mins, stirring often until browned. Transfer to a bowl using a slotted spoon and set aside. Squeeze the sausagemeat from the skins into the pan, and fry for 2-3 mins until browned. Scoop into the bowl with the diced pork.
• Reduce the heat to low and fry the onion, carrot and celery for 5 mins in the remaining oil. Add the garlic, fennel seeds and chilli flakes and fry for 1 min more. Return the meat to the pan along with the wine. Bring to a simmer and cook until the liquid has reduced by about half. Add the bay, rosemary, thyme, stock, tomato purée and chopped tomatoes, and return to a simmer. Season. Cover and cook over a low heat for 2 hrs 30 mins, or until the pork is falling apart.
• Remove the lid, discard the bay and turn up the heat slightly. Simmer for 5-10 mins, or until slightly reduced, stirring often. Stir in the cream, lemon zest and parsley. Season to taste.
• Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Toss with the ragu, and serve sprinkled with parmesan.