The Best Meat Sauce

Meat sauce is like a big hug in a bowl.

It's enjoyed by both adults and kids in our house. Give me a bowl of spaghetti and meat sauce ANYTIME.

The key to the perfect delicious meat sauce is the layers of flavors you put in it, so be mindful of it when you make it. It really helps to create a deep flavor to a plain tomato sauce. I like to use as many fresh ingredients as I could, because fresh flavors will always get you better results.

• 2 shallots

• 3 cloves garlic

• 1/3 cup cilantro

• 2 tbsp oil

• 1 lb minced beef

• 1/2 tbsp sugar (or honey)

• 1/2 lemon, juiced

• 1/2 tsp oregano

• 1/2 tsp paprika

• 1/4 cup tomato paste

• 1 jar tomato sauce (500ml)

• Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a mini food processor, combine shallots, garlic and cilantro. Pulse until very fine.

2. Heat a pan (preferably not teflon) on medium heat. Add oil. Add mixture to pan to brown a little.

3. Add meat to pan and break it apart roughly. Add seasoning and tomato paste (not the sauce yet). Lower heat to medium low. Mix until meat is cooked through.

4. Add tomato sauce. Using a manual potato masher, mash the mixture so the big chunks of meat can break apart more. You can mash as much or as little as you prefer. Add salt if needed.

5. Simmer the sauce for about 10-15 minutes on low then pour on hot spaghetti!

Enjoy,

Guila