Reduced Fat Bolognese

Last night we had some friends over for dinner. Jon and Toby used to work with Nick but a few months ago moved to a new company. Boo. They came over with their wives, Natalie and Brooke and one of their wee ones, Olivia. I totally spaced taking photos when everyone was over or even of our complete meals so be imaginative.

I got the coolest new dishes from my sister for Christmas. They are pasta bowls and a pasta serving bowl, painted by an artist in Seattle. Totally had to rock some pasta last night. I have been dying to use them. Aren't they the coolest?


After attempting my first New Years Resolution...the gym dun dun dun...I got bored and decided to head home to start the sauce.

1 lb low-fat Ground Beef
1 lb Turkey Sausage
2 Tb Olive Oil
3 cups Carrots, chopped
2 cups Celery, chopped
2 lg Sweet Onions, diced
1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
5 cloves Garlic
1 cup Fresh Basil, chopped
2 cans Prepared Spaghetti Sauce (it's ok to cheat)
1 cup Red Wine
1 cup fat-free Milk
2 hand fulls of grated Parmesan Cheese
2 Tb Sugar
Salt and Pepper

Brown beef and turkey in a large skillet, drain, set aside.


In same skillet, saute carrots, celery, onions and bell peppers in olive oil until cooked.



Put whole garlic cloves on cookie sheet, drizzle with olive oil and place under broiler until roasted. This will bring out the sweetness. Try not to be jealous of my cookie sheet.


This makes a ton of sauce so you may need to do this in 2 batches. Add meat and one can of sauce to food processor and puree until well blended. Pour into a LARGE sauce pot. Add vegetables, garlic, basil and last can of tomato sauce to processor and blend until well mixed. Add this mixture and remaining ingredients to sauce pot and simmer for 3-4 hours. (Not necessary but the flavors will totally rock if you do).


Here is the pesto going down.





I made some homemade fettuccine noodles and pour ample amounts of sauce over the top. Put a dollop of some fresh pesto over the top and grated some fresh Parmesan cheese to finish it off. YUMMO!!!! This pasta maker was a gift at my mom and dad's wedding. Isn't it the coolest? I stole it from them. I swear it is going to good use mom and padre!



Makeshift drying rack



Nick made Caprese sticks for appetizers and we served our Hardy family's secret recipe Sour Cream Beef Dip. HEAVEN! I would tell you but I would have to kill you.








My sister gave me this little salt pig for xmas. How cute is he?