Step 1: Making the Meat Sauce
- 1 large onion
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 lb lean ground beef (or lamb)
- 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 - 15 oz can whole tomatoes
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 whole cinnamon stick
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground cloves
Method
To make the meat sauce, first prepare your mise en place. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Measure the spices and tomato paste, and have the beef and tomatoes on hand.
Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil and gently cook the onions until translucent and start to turn golden, about 8-10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute before adding the ground beef. Increase heat to medium-high, add the cinnamon stick, oregano, allspice, nutmeg, ground cloves, sea salt and pepper and cook until the beef is done. Add the tomato paste and cook for a minute or so before adding the tomatoes. Crush them up a bit, and then add the bay leaf. Bring to just a boil and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Adjust seasonings to taste.
