Ingredients

• 240 g minced meat or beef (Vegetarians can substitute with fresh mushrooms)
• 60 g fresh mushrooms, chopped
• 1 medium size onion, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tin diced tomato (412 g)
• 1 tsp dried basil leaves or mixed Italian dried herbs

Seasoning:

• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 pieces of bay leaves (optional)
• 200 ml stock
• Dash of ground black pepper
• Pinch of salt
• Cornstarch solution for thickening (mix 1 tsp corn flour with 1 tbsp water)

Stove or oven method:

Heat up a saucepan with oil.

Sauté onion, garlic and dried basil until fragrant and onion become translucent.

Add in minced meat/ beef and stir-fry until it is cooked.

Add in chopped mushrooms and stir-fry until the mushrooms turn soft.

Add in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato ketchup, stock and bay leaves and stir well. Bring to a boil and simmer under low heat for 30 minutes. During the last 10 minutes, simmer with lid half cover.

Stir occasionally to prevent it from catching the bottom of the pot.

Add in sugar, black pepper and salt. Thicken with cornstarch solution.

Tips:

Leftovers can be freezed for later usage.

This classic sauce is rich in iron from the minced beef and antioxidants from tomatoes and is highly versatile. Eat it with pasta, on pizza or baked eggplants for a hearty lunch.​​​