Risotto Bolognaise

Arborio rice is simmered until tender in a lovely meat and tomato sauce in this delicious risotto.

1 onion, peeled and quartered
1 carrot, peeled and halved
1 celery stalk, halved
1 clove garlic, peeled
handful fresh parsley
6 rashers bacon
4 anchovy fillets
3 tbs. butter, plus 1 tbs. extra
1/2 tsp. regular olive oil
8 oz. ground beef
1/2 cup Marsala
1 x 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 tbs. tomato paste
2 tbs. whole milk
2 quarts veal or beef stock
2 bay leaves
2 1/2 cups risotto rice
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra to serve

Heat the oven to 300°F. Put the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, parsley, bacon and anchovies into a food processor and whiz to a fine mash.

Heat 3 tbs. of   butter with the oil in a deep Dutch oven with a tight fitting lid. Tip the contents of the food processor in and cook 5 minutes to soften. Add the meat and brown, breaking it up as you go with a wooden spoon. Add the Marsala, tomatoes, tomato paste, milk, 2 cups of stock and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, clamp on the lid and bake for 1 hour.

Once the sauce is out of the oven, fish out the bay leaves, then put on a low burner . Heat the remaining stock. Stir the rice into the sauce. Stir in a ladleful of stock until it is absorbed. Repeat this process until the rice is tender. It should take 18-20 minutes.

Stir in the cheese and serve with a little more sprinkled on top.

Serves 6-8