Il Cucinologo
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Bolognese Skewers

17/11/2023

Bolognese skewers are a flavorful dish inspired by the traditional flavors of Emilian cuisine. This dish is not among the canonical classics, so I propose a version that might recall Bolognese lasagna in single-portion format on a stick, ideal for appetizers or buffets.

Ingredients

  • 500 g ground beef

  • 100 g ground pork

  • 1 medium onion

  • 1 carrot

  • 1 celery stalk

  • 500 ml tomato passata

  • 250 ml beef broth

  • 100 ml red wine

  • Extra virgin olive oil to taste

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • Nutmeg to taste

  • Fresh lasagna sheets

  • 100 g grated Parmesan

  • Ready-made or homemade béchamel

  • Skewer sticks

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the soffritto for the ragù: finely chop the onion, carrot and celery and sauté them in a large pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

  2. Once the soffritto is golden, add the ground beef and pork, increasing the heat to brown it well.

  3. Deglaze with the red wine and let the alcohol evaporate, then add the tomato passata and beef broth.

  4. Lower the heat to minimum, cover with a lid and let cook for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add more broth during cooking if necessary.

  5. Season the ragù with salt, pepper and a grating of nutmeg. The ragù should be thick and flavorful.

  6. Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fresh lasagna sheets for 2 minutes, then drain and lay them on a clean cloth to cool and dry.

  7. When cold, cut the lasagna sheets into rectangles about 8x10 cm.

  8. Prepare a small amount of béchamel or use ready-made to speed up the process.

  9. Assemble the skewers by alternating a spoonful of ragù, a rectangle of pasta, a spoonful of béchamel and a dusting of Parmesan. Continue to create 3-4 layers, then finish with another piece of lasagna.

  10. Gently insert the skewer into the center of the layers, taking care not to let them slide off.

  11. Place the skewers on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and gratinate in a preheated oven at 200 °C for about 15-20 minutes or until golden on top.

  12. Let the skewers cool slightly before serving.

Fun Fact

This dish is inspired by Bolognese tradition and its rich, comforting recipes but is presented in an innovative and fun way, perfect for surprising your guests with a touch of creativity in the kitchen.