Mangia Bene!

Mangia Bene!

(It eats well!)

I don’t know what it is lately, but I have been battling this undying craving for Italian food and pasta in savory red sauce. Not only are pasta dishes so easy to make, they are also so versatile in flavor! Perhaps with the stresses of work and personal life I have just been seeking some comfort food to take solace in. Whatever it is, here is something I whipped together that brings really hits the spot.

The Goods
-1/8 lb left over ground beef
-2 turkey Italian Sausage links
-1/4 flank steak, diced and ground up
-1/2 bell pepper
-1/3 onion, chopped
-5 garlic cloves, minced
-1 28oz. can of crushed tomatoes
-roughly 6-8 large basil leaves, chiffonade
-1/2 cup Chianti classico red wine
-Olive Oil
-Salt and pepper to taste
-2 tbs. tomato paste

The Moves
-In a large cast iron Dutch over, or whatever large pot is available, cook the ground beef, the sausage without the casings, and the flank steak until browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
-Drain off some of the meat fat, add a jigger of olive oil, and sauté the peppers and onions until they begin to slightly color. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant.
-Add the tomatoes to the onions and peppers, tossing in the basil, salt and pepper to taste.
-Add in the cooked meat and hit it with the ½ cup of Chianti (Make sure you like the wine and would drink it with the meal, otherwise you can change it or scrap it all together).

Mean while...
-Boil the pasta until it softens and becomes tender to the teeth.
-Drain and toss the pasta in the meat sauce.
-Once the pasta is coated, transfer it to an over proof baking dish. Top the pasta off with shredded Mozzarella cheese and bake in the oven at 350 (F) for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly
-Serve up immediately with a glass of that nice Chianti.

With this meal I picked up a bottle of Di Vinci Chianti to drink tonight. You will notice the flavors of ripe berries to the nose and a smooth flavor. This has really taken a jump in my book to one of my vino favoritos! This wine sports a deep crimson color with those beautiful cherry and fruit aromas balanced by soft, round tannins.

I picked this wine up at the local “World Market” for $11.99. Not to bad and right in the wine price sweet spot ($9-$29).

Thanks for reading and wishing you best eating,
Bon Appétit