Weeknight Bolognese

I can always count on my dear friend Laura for the latest and greatest fashion finds, gourmet meals for entertaining, and anything decorative, classy, and must-have (not to mention anything friend-related). Lucky for you, you don't have to have 35 years of friendship to be privy to her advice because it's all featured on her new blog A Beautiful Hunt .  While I love everything on there, I'm already obsessed with a meal she prepares for her daughter: Cecily's Bolognese.  It's easy to prepare (it's made in 20 minutes flat) and it's delicious and healthful.  I served mine atop whole wheat pasta and a side of parmesan zucchini wedges. It's my new favorite weeknight meal.  Feel free to use ground turkey if you're not a beef person.

PC: Williams-sonoma.com

Recipe after the jump:




Ingredients:
2 Tbsp EVOO
1/2 medium onion, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped (I also substituted 1/2 zuchinni chopped)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb 85% lean ground beef (or lean ground turkey-white meat)

1 28 oz can diced tomatoes in sauce

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 bay leaf (optional)

other: 

salt

grated parmesan cheese

Directions: 

Sweat the onions, garlic, carrots, and celery together in 1-2 tbsp of EVOO.  Add one pinch of salt and stir.  Add in the meat and brown and one more pinch of salt.  Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently.  Remove the bay leaf and serve with your favorite pasta topped with grated parmesan cheese.