How to Make My Delicious Vegan Bolognese

Can vegans or vegetarians eat Bolognese?

The traditional Bolognese sauce originates from the Italian city of Bologna. Locally it is know as “Ragu” and is served with pasta or as part of a lasagne. It is a rich tomato-based sauce with ground meat, onions, celery and carrots.

My take on a Bolognese sauce is somewhat different. I don’t use meat, I include more vegetables and other sources of flavour.

Over the years, I have really enjoyed the challenge of “veganising” our favourite dishes. The main difference, I have found, is that meat imparts a lot of flavour without a great deal of effort.

So I have need to get creative and find ways to add back the depth of flavour to plant-based dishes.

The result in this case is still a delicious, rich sauce which goes perfectly with pasta, new potatoes, over a baked potato or in a lasagne.

Read on to find out how to make it!

Ingredients

Serves 4 adults generously | Prep time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 30 minutes

You will need:

• Four sundried tomatoes and 2tbsp of oil from the jar
• One medium onion
• Two cloves garlic
• One bell pepper
• Two medium carrots
• 2 sticks celery
• Handful of mushrooms
• 1 tbsp mixed herbs
• 1 stock cube
• 2 tbsp gravy powder
• 1 cup soya mince (can substitute brown lentils instead if preferred)
• 500 mls passata
• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• Choice of carbohydrate accompaniment – I used fresh new potatoes from the garden

Method

1. Add the oil to a large saucepan. Slice the sundried tomatoes, onions, garlic and celery and add these to the pan as well.
2. Simmer over a medium heat for 2-3 minutes as the vegetables begin to soften.

3. Chop the mushrooms, pepper and carrots. Add these to the pan as well and continue to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are cooked.

4. Add the stock cube, gravy granules, vinegar, soya mince and passata to the pan, and stir well.

5. Gradually add the hot water as the soya mince soaks it up. You may not use it all, or you may need a little more to make a glossy, thick sauce.

6. Allow to simmer over a low heat, stirring often, while you cook your pasta, potatoes or other accomaniment.

7. Serve piping hot and enjoy!

I do hope you enjoy this recipe! Leave me a comment to let me know how you got on.

ated!