Creative Angels' Recipe and Craft of the Week

NOTE: Barbara Stevenson continues to need recipes and craft ideas to pass along to the parish through the weekly email messages. You can send your submissions to Barbara at bebstevenson@yahoo.com.

Many families have an identified pasta night each week. It is a time to enjoy each other and a meal just about everyone loves! After many tries, I came up with this pasta bolognese recipe. My family loves this! It’s really not difficult to make.....with a wonderful salad and some crusty bread, it hits the spot. Enjoy!

Sausage and Beef Bolognese Sauce

• 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1/4 cup grated carrot

• 1/4 cup grated onion

• 1/2 lb mild Italian sausage, ground

• 1 lb 80/20 ground beef

• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste

• Small amount of diced garlic

• 1/4 cup red wine

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 large (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

• 15 oz can tomato sauce

• 1/2 lb fresh pappardelle ( I make my own)

• 3 Tablespoons minced fresh basil

• 1/4 cup minced parsley

• Grated cheese

Prepare pot to cook pasta. In a large pot on high heat, add extra virgin olive oil. Add carrot and onion and cook for one minute. Add sausage and beef and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Deglaze pan with red wine and reduce for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in crushed tomatoes and a 15 oz can of tomato sauce and reduce for 10 minutes on medium heat until thickened. Cook pasta. Stir basil, parsley and pasta together . Season with salt and pepper. If sauce is too thick, add some pasta water to it. Garnish with cheese.

And a fun spring craft idea.....

• Approximately 6 mason jars

• 6 varied herb plants

• Potting soil

Fill jars about 2/3 full with potting soil. Plant herbs in jars. Label jars with name of herbs in them. Water appropriately. Keep in sunny, but not overly hot location!

These jars look really pretty in a decorative basket or box. A lovely gift for a cook!