Bolognese Sauce

Bolognese Sauce, also known as Ragù alla bolognese, is a rich meat ragù made with tomatoes and minced beef, in the traditional style of Bologna, Italy. It is commonly served with Tagliatelle pasta. Today, Rimping Supermarket invites you to delve into the history of this classic Italian sauce beloved worldwide.

Origins in La Grassa (The Fat City)

The origin of Bolognese Sauce is deeply rooted in the culinary culture of Bologna, a historic city in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. This city has long been famous for its diverse culinary traditions, earning it the nickname La Grassa, or The Fat (City of Abundance).

Pellegrino Artusi's First Record and the Evolution of the Recipe

The legend of Bolognese Sauce says that in the late 18th century, the first documented recipe was published in 1891 AD by Pellegrino Artusi, an Italian writer who recorded a sauce recipe called Maccheroni alla bolognese in his cookbook, La Scienza in Cucina e l'Arte di Mangiar Bene (Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well).

Artusi's recipe in the cookbook included ingredients such as lean veal, butter, onion, carrot, pancetta (Italian bacon), and a small amount of broth. This differs significantly from the recipe we are familiar with today, as it did not contain tomatoes and was often served with other types of pasta, not the Tagliatelle we see today.

Over time, Bolognese Sauce was further developed by adding Sofrito, consisting of onions, carrots, celery, white wine, tomatoes, and milk or cream. The sauce was then slow-cooked for several hours to achieve a rich and deep flavor.

Official Recipe Registration and Global Variations

In 1982, the Italian Academy of Cuisine, an organization dedicated to preserving Italy's culinary heritage, officially registered the recipe for Bolognese Sauce under the name Ragù alla bolognese with the Chamber of Commerce of Bologna (La Camera di Commercio di Bologna). This was done to maintain the correct standards of Bolognese Sauce amidst the many variations found worldwide.

However, despite having an official recipe, Bolognese Sauce still has many variations in countries outside Italy. For example, in the United States and the United Kingdom, a larger quantity of tomatoes is often added than in Italy.

Bolognese Sauce with Pasta Pairings and Other Dishes

In Italy, Bolognese Sauce is traditionally served with Tagliatelle, a flat, ribbon-like pasta. In other countries, it is commonly paired with spaghetti. However, Bolognese Sauce can also be served with other pasta types such as Rigatoni, Pappardelle, or used as a sauce for Gnocchi and Polenta.

Today, Bolognese Sauce has become a globally beloved staple of Italian cuisine, found in numerous Italian restaurants worldwide.