Monday nights...

Monday nights are interesting in our household. Scott and I have been married for over 11 years. When we live in town every Monday night brings a visitor, Monday Night Michigan Matt. Matt has been a friend to Scott forever. 11 years ago he came over on Monday nights to eat and watch wrestling. I like to think that they aren't watching wrestling anymore, but some Monday nights I do catch them watching it. The thing about Matt is, he eats A LOT! I'm not kidding, he eats in one sitting as much as my family of four eats in two nights. So Monday nights we serve a lot of pastas, soups, and things that make a lot!!! Tonight will be Spaghetti Bolognaise. Kind of a glorified spaghetti, with a little cream and not too much tomato. Yummy! Hopefully!!!! Matt always compliments me on the meals, and he will tell me that they are good, even when they are bad! Trust me, he has seen plenty of bad!!!

PASTA BOLOGNAISE

Serves 6-8 or a family of 4 and Matt! (hopefully)

2 large onions, chopped (about 2 1/2 cups)
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine
4 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon italian herbs
1cup heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 pound spaghetti, cooked and drained
Parmesan, grated

Cook the onions in the olive oil in a heavy bottomed Dutch oven over medium heat, until softened. Stir in the garlic, add the beef. Cook and stir to break up beef until browned. Add the wine and turn up the heat so that the wine bubbles continuously. Reduce by about half. Add tomato paste and stir. Cover and turn the heat down very low, and cook for at least 2 hours and up to 4 hours. Stir from time to time, scraping the bottom to make sure that nothing sticks or burns. Right before serving stir in the cream and italian herbs. Taste, and then add the salt and pepper. Let simmer uncovered another 10 minutes. Taste again and stir in the parsley. Serve with pasta, sprinkled with Parmesan.

ENJOY!