Bolognese Sauce

4 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp butter
3 carrots, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
3 cloves of garlic, sliced
1 large shallot, diced
2 lbs ground beef
About 8 thick-cut bacon strips, diced fine
1/2 cup tomato paste
1 cup whole milk
1 cup dry white wine
1 large sprig fresh rosemary
Salt & pepper to taste

In a large stockpot, heat the oil and the butter over medium high heat. Add the carrots, celery, shallot and garlic, season with salt, and sweat until soft - about 5 minutes. Add in the ground beef and bacon and cook until the meat is no longer pink. Add the tomato paste, milk and wine and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat to low, and simmer for about 1 hour, or until sauce has thickened and the liquid has reduced. Season with salt & pepper to taste at the very end.
Serve immediately over your favorite pasta.
If the sauce is too thick once it has finished cooking, stir in about 1/2 cup of hot vegetable broth to thin it out a little more.

*You will not believe the aroma that fills the house when this sauce is simmering on the stove. It smells so rich and yummy, it will be hard to wait until it is done cooking. This makes for a really hearty meal, that's really not that hard to make. The most effort is in the prep work. But let me tell you, it is so worth it. And of course, the fresher your ingredients are, the better it will taste. This dish will make you feel like a real Italian chef, even if you're just a Jersey girl!

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:9 & 10