Ragu Of Tuna And Thyme Food

RAGU OF TUNA AND THYME

Steps:

• Remove and discard the skin from the tuna, and cut the meat into 16 chunks, each about 4 inches by 3 inches. Dredge the chunks in the flour, shaking off the excess.
• In a saucepan or earthenware casserole, heat the olive oil. Quickly brown the fish on all sides. With a slotted spoon, remove the chunks to a plate and set aside.
• Add the garlic, hot peppers, onions, salt and thyme to the oil, and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are lightly golden. Add water, bring to a boil, and add the potato pieces. Lower the heat, and simmer for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are barely tender.
• Add the roasted peppers and the tuna, and cook 10 minutes more. Remove from the heat, discard the thyme sprigs and adjust the seasonings. Garnish with the thyme leaves, and serve right from the casserole.

TURKEY RAGù

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring, until golden and most of the fat has rendered, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Add the oil to the skillet. Stir in the carrot, celery, onion, garlic and bay leaf. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are soft and a little golden in spots, about 7 minutes. Scrape the mixture onto a plate.
• Add the turkey to skillet and cook, breaking up meat with a fork, until golden and cooked through, 7 to 10 minutes. Return pancetta and vegetables to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in the wine; cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, until it is mostly evaporated. Add the crushed tomatoes. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the butter until melted. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary. Serve over pasta, topped with a dollop of ricotta.

RICH RAGU

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan and add the onion, celery and carrot. Fry over a medium heat for 10 mins, stirring now and then, until softened and starting to colour.
• Stir in the mince and cook, breaking up any clumps of meat with a wooden spoon, until browned.
• Add the tomato purée, garlic and thyme, and cook for 1-2 mins more. Pour in the wine, if using, and increase the heat to boil off most of the alcohol. Reduce the heat, stir in the stock and season. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and leave to cook gently for 1 hr-1 hr 15 mins until the meat is tender and the sauce has thickened.
• Remove the lid and continue cooking for 15 mins. Meanwhile, cook the pasta following pack instructions. Reserve a mugful of the cooking water, then drain the spaghetti and add to the ragu with the Parmesan. Toss well and add a little pasta water to help the sauce coat the spaghetti. Serve with a side salad and extra cheese, if you like.